The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of his service-connected intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) with lumbar laminectomy scar was denied as the evidence did not show unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine.,The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities was considered abandoned due to his failure to submit requested information and forms.
The deciding factor: The Veteran’s IVDS with lumbar laminectomy scar did not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 60 percent under Diagnostic Code 5243, as he had not been diagnosed with unfavorable ankylosis of the entire spine.,The Veteran failed to submit requested information and forms needed to substantiate his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
- Claimed conditions
- intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), lumbar laminectomy scar
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- January 17, 2019
- Citation
- 19104114
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,446 · Granted: 21% (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 19104114.
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).
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