The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was rated at 10 percent from August 20, 2009 to June 3, 2015 and at 40 percent from June 3, 2015. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for an increased rating based on incapacitating episodes or under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was rated at 40 percent from June 3, 2015, which is the maximum schedular rating available. The Board determined that there were no incapacitating episodes or other factors warranting a higher rating under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Disc Disease at L5-S1
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- March 22, 2018
- Citation
- 1817868
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 1817868.
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: Granted
The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at a 40% evaluation, granting the highest schedular rating for limitation of motion. The issue of entitlement to TDIU remains pending.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's degenerative disc disease at L5-S1 does not meet the criteria for a higher rating, as his range of motion and symptoms do not warrant an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been granted and rated at the lowest possible level, with no additional compensation awarded.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has determined that the earliest effective date for a combined 100 percent disability evaluation is March 8, 2000.
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