The Veteran's service-connected lumbar degenerative disc disease with radiculopathy in the lower extremities does not warrant a higher schedular rating as his range of motion and symptoms do not meet criteria for a higher rating.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's range of motion is greater than 60 degrees forward flexion and combined range of motion greater than 120 degrees, which precludes a higher rating under the General Formula. The Board also found no evidence of muscle spasm or guarding severe enough to result in an abnormal gait or spinal contour.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar degenerative disc disease with lumbar facet syndrome, radiculopathy in the left lower extremity, radiculopathy in the right lower extremity
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 21, 2017
- Citation
- 1759733
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 1759733.
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: Dismissed
The Board dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of his appeal.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for the right ankle condition and denied earlier effective dates for the grants of service connection and increased rating for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease.
- Whole decision: Granted
The veteran's service connection for a back disability and radiculopathy in the left lower extremity was granted.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The veteran's appeal for earlier effective dates was dismissed because the veteran withdrew the appeal.
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.