The Veteran's degenerative disc disease lumbar spine is currently rated at 20 percent from November 20, 2009 to June 2, 2015 and at 40 percent thereafter. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating during this period.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's degenerative disc disease lumbar spine has been characterized by pain and tenderness with motion, but without ankylosis, muscle atrophy, or other neurologic abnormalities. Range of motion measurements have shown limited flexion and extension.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Disc Disease Lumbar Spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 28, 2017
- Citation
- 1760668
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 1760668.
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 Veteran's service-connected disabilities resulted in a temporary total rating for convalescence and SMC based on housebound criteria from November 1, 2018, to February 1, 2019. The extension of the rating was granted due to complications following surgery.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent her from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's lumbar spine DDD disability has been granted a 40 percent evaluation, but no higher, for the period prior to May 21, 2019. For the period beginning May 21, 2019, his condition does not meet the criteria for an increased rating.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's Obstructive Sleep Apnea is granted as service connected. The increased disability ratings for Degenerative Disc Disease Lumbar Spine are remanded.
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