The Veteran's lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease is rated at 20 percent prior to June 7, 2017, and at 40 percent since that date.
The deciding factor: The rating was granted based on the severity of the Veteran's back pain and limited range of motion as determined by medical examinations conducted over time.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease (DDD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- September 5, 2018
- Citation
- 18131415
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 18131415.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remanded the claim for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) secondary to lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease (DDD). The Veteran's OSA is not yet service-connected.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right knee patellofemoral syndrome, ankylosis and instability of the right knee, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease (DDD), did not meet the minimum threshold requirements for schedular TDIU. However, she is entitled to a TDIU on an extraschedular basis from January 3, 2013 to January 2, 2014.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding lower back pain, left leg injuries, and PTSD.,The Veteran is also seeking service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, including PTSD, which he contends was caused by a 2005 incident during his first period of active duty.
- Granted
The Veteran's lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease was granted a 40% rating, effective from the date of decision. The Board also granted entitlement to Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) for periods prior to August 10, 2016 and from November 1, 2016.
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