The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for her service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine and scars was denied. The Veteran is not entitled to a higher rating as her conditions do not meet the criteria for an increased rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's degenerative disc disease did not result in unfavorable ankylosis at any time on appeal, and she did not have incapacitating episodes of IVDS during the past 12 months. The scars were painful but not unstable.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Disc Disease of the Lumbosacral Spine, Scars
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 60%
- Decision date
- January 9, 2018
- Citation
- 1801368
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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 1801368.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and other conditions, have prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for an earlier effective date, a higher rating for COPD, and a compensable rating for scars.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for irritable bowel syndrome, left sciatic radicular pain, and headaches. It also granted an initial rating of 70 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and a rating of 30 percent for lipoma of the skin on the back of the head. The claims for increased ratings for right knee strain with shin splints and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome were denied, as was the claim for an initial compensable rating for allergic rhinitis.
- Partly granted
The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and remanded the remaining issues to obtain additional evidence, including medical records and opinions.
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.