The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease has been manifested by forward flexion greater than 30 degrees with pain and tenderness, but no additional functional impairment due to pain, flare-ups, ankylosis, or incapacitating episodes. The Board finds a preponderance of the evidence is against assignment of an increased disability rating for the Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's range of motion findings during VA examinations do not meet the 30 degree requirement contemplated by a higher rating based on limitation of motion, and there is no basis in the objective medical evidence for the assignment of any higher ratings for the lumbar spine disability based on functional factors.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar spine degenerative disc disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- November 2, 2017
- Citation
- 1749697
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 1749697.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, as there are insufficient medical opinions and records. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further development.
- Denied
The Veteran's initial rating for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease was denied, and his claims for right knee, left knee, right hand, left hand, GERD, neck disability, and bilateral hearing loss were also denied. The effective date of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was granted on December 14, 2022.
- Dismissed
The appeal for service connection of left knee condition, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, left hip osteoarthritis, and right hip osteoarthritis is dismissed due to lack of jurisdiction over the August 2021 rating decision. Service connection for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, left hip osteoarthritis, and right hip osteoarthritis are granted.
- Dismissed
The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for increased disability ratings in excess of 20 percent for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and right shoulder labral tear, including superior labral anterior-posterior lesion. The appeal is dismissed.
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