The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for her degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with pyriformis syndrome was denied. The separate rating for bowel impairment as a neurological manifestation of the lumbar spine disability is granted, but at a lower level than requested. The left ankle impingement with synovitis remains rated at 20 percent. The Veteran's request to withdraw her TDIU claim has been accepted.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show ankylosis of the lumbar spine or incapacitating episodes due to IVDS that required bed rest prescribed by a physician, which would warrant higher ratings under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine. The Veteran's bowel impairment was found to be related to her service-connected pyriformis syndrome.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with pyriformis syndrome, Impaired sphincter control (bowel impairment)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- May 1, 2018
- Citation
- 1827353
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 1827353.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of her service-connected lumbar spine and left ankle disabilities. The AOJ will also consider whether a temporary total rating is warranted due to her March 2015 surgery.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar myositis, psychoneurosis and conversion hysteria, residuals of shrapnel wounds of the left thigh and pelvis with retained foreign bodies and scars, and residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right thigh and left leg. The veteran was also denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected coronary artery disease, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of his condition.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected musculoligamentous strain, right knee, is currently rated at 10 percent and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.
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