The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 40 percent disabling, effective April 30, 2009. The Veteran's sciatica of the bilateral lower extremities are each rated at 10 percent disabling.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's degenerative disc disease with IVDS did not result in unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes meeting criteria for a higher rating under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine. The sciatica was also found to be mild, without associated objective neurologic abnormalities.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with intervertebral disc syndrome, Sciatica, left lower extremity, Sciatica, right lower extremity
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- August 11, 2016
- Citation
- 1632066
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 1632066.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for a low back disability and sciatica of the left lower extremity, finding that the evidence does not support a link between these conditions and the Veteran's active duty service.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine with vertebral fracture, sciatica in both lower extremities, and left leg length discrepancy, but denied it for right leg length discrepancy.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the cases for additional development to obtain updated VA treatment records and any relevant private treatment records. The Veteran must provide authorization for these records.
- Denied
The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied due to the lack of a valid application filed prior to February 10, 2020.,The effective date for the grant of service connection is set at February 10, 2020.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.