The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for lumbar disc disease with disc bulging is granted until May 23, 2016. After that date, the disability picture does not warrant a rating greater than 10 percent. The Board also denied his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was rated under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine, with no evidence of intervertebral disc syndrome or incapacitating episodes. The Board found that the disability picture did not warrant a higher rating based on pain or other symptoms, but supported a 20 percent rating until May 23, 2016 when flexion was to 80 degrees. For his total disability rating claim, the Veteran's combined rating of 80% prior to September 30, 2010 did not meet the schedular requirements for individual unemployability.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar disc disease with disc bulging
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- June 5, 2017
- Citation
- 1719892
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1719892.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar myositis, psychoneurosis and conversion hysteria, residuals of shrapnel wounds of the left thigh and pelvis with retained foreign bodies and scars, and residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right thigh and left leg. The veteran was also denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
- Whole decision: Denied
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- Whole decision: Denied
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- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted as the evidence shows a current diagnosis of PTSD, an in-service stressor, and a medical link between the two.
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