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Denied

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for her service-connected degenerative disk disease, lumbar spine at L3-L4 and L4-L5, status post lumbar microdiskectomy at L3-L4 for herniated disk is denied as the evidence does not show that she meets the criteria for a higher evaluation during the period from February 26, 2007 to September 19, 2007.

The deciding factor: The Veteran's treatment records did not indicate she had unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine or incapacitating episodes having a total duration of at least 6 weeks during the past twelve months. Her disability rating remained at 40 percent based on limitation of motion of her lumbar spine.

Claimed conditions
Degenerative disk disease, lumbar spine at L3-L4 and L4-L5
How they argued it
Direct service connection
Exposure basis
None
Rating assigned
40%
Decision date
March 30, 2017
Citation
1709974

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 1709974.

What this means for you

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