The Board has determined that the reduction in the Veteran's disability rating for segmental spinal stenosis L3-L5 with degenerative disc disease L4-L5 was not legally proper, and therefore restored the original 40 percent disability rating.
The deciding factor: The RO improperly reduced the Veteran’s disability rating from 40 to 20 percent effective July 13, 2016, which was not a legal reduction as it did not account for the Veteran's ongoing need for higher ratings due to his spinal stenosis and degenerative disc disease.
- Claimed conditions
- segmental spinal stenosis L3-L5, degenerative disc disease L4-L5
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- August 8, 2017
- Citation
- 1731845
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 1731845.
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 Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain, degenerative arthritis, degenerative disc disease L4-L5, and intervertebral disc syndrome is effective the earliest date permissible by law and VA statute.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative arthritis of the spine and degenerative disc disease L4-L5 is being remanded due to a need for updated examination.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for a retrospective medical opinion on the Veteran's lumbar spine disability prior to April 13, 2016, and for consideration of entitlement to SMC.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding her claim of entitlement to a total disability rating on the basis of individual unemployability (TDIU) based on service-connected disability.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.