The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine has been granted a 20 percent disability rating, effective from January 16, 2019. The condition is characterized by forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 60 degrees.
The deciding factor: The VA examination showed that the Veteran's forward flexion was limited to 45 degrees after repetitive motion, which approximates a range of motion greater than 30 degrees but less than 60 degrees. This meets the criteria for a 20 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 5237.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- January 16, 2019
- Citation
- 19103783
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment, thus granting a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).
- Dismissed
The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's death while it was pending.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, finding a positive nexus to the Veteran's active duty service.
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed the appeal of proposed rating reductions for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and radiculopathy, left lower extremity, due to procedural defects in the Veteran's notice of disagreement. The issue regarding a compensable rating for migraine headaches was remanded.
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