The Veteran's claim for higher initial ratings for his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine was denied. The RO assigned a 20 percent rating effective January 4, 2016.
The deciding factor: The VA examination reports showed that the Veteran had forward flexion limited to 40 degrees as of January 4, 2016, which met the criteria for a 20 percent disability rating under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- January 25, 2018
- Citation
- 1804977
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 1804977.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a retrospective medical opinion to assess the severity and manifestations of the Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral spine disability.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for a lumbar spine disability, bilateral knee disabilities, and bilateral hip disabilities to obtain an adequate medical opinion.
- Remanded (sent back)
The claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. §1151 for diabetes mellitus, Type 2 with bilateral lower extremity neuropathy secondary to medications taken for high cholesterol was denied due to the lack of new and relevant evidence.
- Denied
The Board denied increased ratings for degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, plantar fasciitis with degenerative joint disease in both feet, and hypertension.
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