The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected intervertebral disc syndrome was denied as the evidence did not show incapacitating episodes requiring bed rest prescribed by a physician and treatment by a physician.
The deciding factor: The Veteran’s range of motion was not tested during the VA examination, but medical records showed he had full range of motion in his lower back. There were no episodes of acute signs and symptoms due to intervertebral disc syndrome that required bed rest prescribed by a physician.
- Claimed conditions
- Intervertebral disc syndrome
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- January 8, 2019
- Citation
- 19101386
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for intervertebral disc syndrome, resolving doubt in favor of the Veteran. The claims for obstructive sleep apnea, GERD, and headache disability were remanded for further development.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for a back condition, including degenerative arthritis, lumbosacral strain, intervertebral disc syndrome, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, namely lumbar spondylosis, lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, and intervertebral disc syndrome as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected retropatellar syndrome, arthritis and meniscal strain, right knee.
- Partly granted
The Board granted an increased rating of 30 percent for the Veteran's cervical spine disability, service connection for post-surgical cervical spine scar and left upper extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the cervical spine condition, and a TDIU from August 24, 2017. The right upper extremity radiculopathy rating was denied.
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.