The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for L5-S1 degenerative disc disease was denied by the Board. The criteria for a higher rating were not met as his range of motion did not meet the requirements for a 40% rating, and he did not have incapacitating episodes of intervertebral disc syndrome.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's lumbar spine disability did not result in ankylosis or limitation of flexion to 30 degrees or less, which are required for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating criteria. Additionally, there were no incapacitating episodes of IVDS as determined by the VA examiner.
- Claimed conditions
- L5-S1 degenerative disc disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 7, 2018
- Citation
- 1828408
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 1828408.
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: Partly granted
The Board denied service connection for several conditions but granted it for right hip disability and assigned a 20 percent rating for right knee instability. Some issues were remanded.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has found that the VA medical opinions are inadequate and remands the case for additional examinations to address the etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions, including L5-S1 and C3-C7 degenerative disc disease, lumbar scoliosis, lumbar spondylosis/osteoarthritis, and spinal cord impingement.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has restored service connection for lumbosacral strain, effective July 1, 2018. The Veteran's current lumbar spine condition is now considered to be L5-S1 degenerative disc disease.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination, requiring a new one that addresses the Veteran's lay statements and detailed clinical history.
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