The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease is currently rated at 20 percent, but the evidence does not support a higher rating based on the criteria provided in the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.
The deciding factor: The Veteran’s disability does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation under any applicable Diagnostic Code due to lack of forward flexion to 30 degrees or less, ankylosis of the thoracolumbar spine, or incapacitating episodes of IVDS lasting at least 4 weeks but less than 6 weeks.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease (DDD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- March 9, 2017
- Citation
- 1707385
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 1707385.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for depressive disorder, cervical strain (claimed as cervical spine condition), lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease, tinnitus, endometriosis, female sexual arousal disorder, and urinary frequency. The Veteran's claims for these conditions are supported by medical evidence linking them to her military service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claim of entitlement to service connection for lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease (DDD) due to a lack of consideration of potential aggravation during active service and an inadequate medical opinion.
- Partly granted
The Board denied a rating in excess of 40 percent for lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease and granted a 40 percent disability rating for right lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, while denying all other claims.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) but denied an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease.
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