The Veteran's low back IVDS and arthritis are currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board denied an increased rating as his disability does not meet or approximate criteria for a higher rating.
The deciding factor: The Veteran’s disability did not result in incapacitating episodes of at least six weeks per year, nor did it cause functional loss during flare-ups or upon repeated use that reduced range of motion to 30 degrees or less. The current 20 percent rating is the maximum available under Diagnostic Code 5243.
- Claimed conditions
- Arthritis, IVDS (Intervertebral Disc Syndrome)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- March 18, 2019
- Citation
- A19000199
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,156 · Granted: 29% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 A19000199.
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: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for service connection regarding cervical strain with IVDS, spinal fusion, and spinal stenosis was dismissed because the Veteran died during the pendency of the appeal.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error in previous examinations, requiring additional information on right shoulder ROM measurements without medication effects.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence was submitted to warrant readjudication of the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, including degenerative arthritis and IVDS, as well as bilateral pes planus. The claims are now remanded for further development.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, herniated disc, IVDS and spinal stenosis is rated at 40 percent since August 19, 2020. The appeal period did not show unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes of IVDS.
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