The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The claim for service connection for left leg pains and numbness was previously denied in July 1988 and has not been reopened. Service connection for cervical and right leg disorders are also denied.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated based on limitation of motion, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as it does not result in forward flexion to 30 degrees or less, ankylosis, or incapacitating episodes. The claim for service connection for left leg pains and numbness was previously denied and has not been reopened with new and material evidence.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Joint and Disc Disease of the Lumbar Spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 17, 2016
- Citation
- 1643858
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 1643858.
What this means for you
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
PTSD, a back condition, and flat feet were not granted service connection prior to October 22, 2008.,The Veteran's claims for these conditions were submitted after the one-year period following separation from active duty.
- Denied
The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was granted a 40% rating for the period prior to November 20, 2010. For the period on appeal, his claim for an increased rating was denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine and bilateral knee disabilities are remanded for further evaluation due to the potential need for surgical intervention.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for his lumbar spine disability and radiculopathy of the sciatic nerves was denied. The RO assigned a 20 percent rating for degenerative joint and disc disease of the lumbar spine with lumbosacral strain, but denied increased ratings for radiculopathy.
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