The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine is currently rated at 40 percent, effective October 12, 2009. The Veteran's left ear hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable.
The deciding factor: The VA examination findings did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Codes 5242 or 5243 due to limited forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine, but no ankylosis was found. The Veteran's hearing loss is rated as noncompensable as it does not meet the criteria for any higher rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, Left lateral cutaneous femoral neuropathy with sciatic nerve involvement
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 7, 2017
- Citation
- 1756654
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 1756654.
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 claims for increased ratings for left ankle and lumbosacral spine disabilities were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings under applicable VA rating criteria.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at a 40 percent evaluation, effective from the date of the May 2013 rating decision.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU as his service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a retrospective medical opinion to assess the severity and manifestations of the Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral spine disability.
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