The Veteran's degenerative disc disease, lumbar spine with scar was rated at 20 percent effective April 13, 2017. The claim for a higher rating remains denied.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's disability did not meet the criteria for an increased rating as of April 13, 2017.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease, lumbar spine, Scar
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 8, 2017
- Citation
- 1756882
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 1756882.
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: Granted
The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from August 6, 2008 due to the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim of service connection for degenerative disc disease, lumbar spine (claimed as back injury) due to inadequate VA examination and failure to comply with prior remand directives.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder, low back, left knee, urinary, and scar disabilities as there is no persuasive evidence that any of these conditions began during or are otherwise related to his period of honorable military service.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for degenerative disc disease, lumbar spine was dismissed due to concurrent election of review options.
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