The VA has determined that the appellant's degenerative disc disease, L4-5 and L5-S1, warrants a rating of 40 percent since it causes significant functional impairment due to pain and weakness.
The deciding factor: The VA found that the appellant's symptoms, including constant back pain and inability to stand for more than two minutes without assistance, meet the criteria for a 40 percent rating under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease, L4-5 and L5-S1
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- March 15, 2018
- Citation
- 1816264
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 1816264.
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.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his degenerative disc disease, L4-5 and L5-S1, was denied. The Board also found that the criteria for TDIU were met effective September 25, 2015, and SMC at the housebound rate is granted from this date.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his degenerative disc disease, L4-5 and L5-S1, is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the range of motion in a seated position.
- Denied
The Veteran's claims for increased evaluation of service-connected degenerative disc disease, bilateral knee disability, and bilateral wrist and hand disability (claimed as carpal tunnel syndrome) were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for the lumbar spine condition or establish service connection for the claimed disabilities.
- Partly granted
The Board found new and material evidence to have been submitted, but the claim remains undecided as it is unclear if the current back disability is related to service or a service-connected condition.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
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.