The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his degenerative disc disease L4-5 with pain radiated to right testicle, right buttock and right leg was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.
The deciding factor: The Veteran’s disability manifested mainly by pain, limited motion, weakness, and fatigability. There were no incapacitating episodes of doctor-prescribed bed rest.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease L4-5
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 22, 2017
- Citation
- 1741706
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 1741706.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions provided prior to the August 2020 rating decision. The AOJ must obtain updated medical opinions addressing the Veteran's claimed conditions and their relationship to his military service.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability and related nerve radiculopathy issues has been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an increased rating based on unfavorable ankylosis or IVDS with incapacitating episodes.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was granted a 40 percent rating prior to December 30, 2019 and denied any increase in rating from that date. The decision is based on the current manifestations of his service-connected degenerative disc disease.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease L5-S1 and L4-5, finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not related to his in-service back injury.
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