The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for her service-connected lumbar spine disability was denied as the evidence did not show unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes that would warrant a higher rating.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations showed limited range of motion but no ankylosis or incapacitating episodes, which are required for higher ratings under the applicable diagnostic codes.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar spine intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative arthritis and stenosis, bladder impairment
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- June 8, 2017
- Citation
- 1720688
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 1720688.
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.
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed all issues on appeal, including service connection for erectile dysfunction, a bladder impairment, and special monthly compensation for loss of a creative organ.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection, increased rating, and TDIU due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The issues include secondary service connection for cervical spine disability, separate ratings for lower extremity radiculopathy, and TDIU based on his lumbar spine disabilities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded two issues: the Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for his lumbar spine disability and his claim for a separate disability rating for bladder impairment, which is secondary to his lumbar spine disability. The remand requires additional examination and opinion regarding these claims.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for sciatic nerve radiculopathy of the right lower extremity and bladder impairment (urinary frequency) as secondary to the appellant's service-connected lumbar spine disability. The effective date for these awards is set at January 8, 2013, for the right lower extremity and August 14, 2014, for the left lower extremity. A rating of 40% was assigned for the lumbar spine disability as of January 4, 2021.
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