The Board found that the appellant's service-connected lumbar spine disc disease did not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent, as her disability was manifested by forward flexion greater than 30 degrees and combined range of motion of 125 degrees or more.,For cervical spine disc disease prior to October 1, 2010, the appellant's disability was rated at 10 percent; from October 1, 2010, it was rated at 20 percent. The Board found that these ratings were appropriate given her range of motion and lack of incapacitating episodes.
The deciding factor: The appellant's service-connected lumbar spine disc disease did not meet the criteria for a higher rating as there were no incapacitating episodes or neurologic abnormalities.
- Claimed conditions
- Lumbar Spine Disc Disease, Cervical Spine Disc Disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 24, 2017
- Citation
- 1728951
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 1728951.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
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 Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him substantially confined to his dwelling, the immediate premises, a ward or clinical area of an institution due to a service-connected condition. He does not have one disability that is rated as totally disabling and an additional disability or disabilities that are independently rated or ratable as at least 60 percent disabling.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, IBS, gout, tinnitus, lumbar spine disc disease, and a right shoulder disability, have led to significant employment challenges. The proposed vocational rehabilitation plan does not include obtaining a Master’s Degree as it is deemed not reasonably feasible given the Veteran's current circumstances.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected cervical spine disc disease was granted, with a separate 30 percent rating assigned for the neurological manifestations of the disability. The original 20 percent rating for orthopedic manifestations remains in effect.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's cervical spine disc disease with right shoulder pain and right forearm paresthesia is rated at 20 percent prior to June 23, 2004. Effective from June 23, 2004, the Veteran is rated at 20 percent for the orthopedic manifestations of cervical spine disc disease and 10 percent for the neurologic manifestations. The Veteran's degenerative joint diseases are each rated at 10 percent. Bilateral hearing loss is not compensable. Retinal detachments have no associated rating.
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