The Veteran's lumbar spine disability has been manifested by forward flexion greater than 60 degrees and a combined range of motion greater than 120 degrees, without muscle spasm or guarding severe enough to result in an abnormal gait or spinal contour, and without incapacitating episodes of intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS). The criteria for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent have not been met.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's lumbar spine disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as it does not result in forward flexion limited to 60 degrees or combined range of motion not greater than 120 degrees, nor does it result in muscle spasm or guarding severe enough to result in an abnormal gait or spinal contour.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar spine degenerative joint disease with degenerative disc disease at L4-L5 and L5-S1
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- January 9, 2018
- Citation
- 1801197
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 1801197.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased rating of his back disability, service connection for depression, and TDIU are being remanded due to deficiencies in the VA examinations provided.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the nature and severity of his service-connected back disability and whether his depression is aggravated by his service-connected back disability. The TDIU claim is also remanded.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating of his service-connected lumbar spine degenerative joint disease and a claim for service connection for depression are both remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar myositis, psychoneurosis and conversion hysteria, residuals of shrapnel wounds of the left thigh and pelvis with retained foreign bodies and scars, and residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right thigh and left leg. The veteran was also denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
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