The Veteran's initial rating for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is granted at a 10% level prior to July 25, 2014. The claim for an increased rating in excess of 10% beginning July 25, 2014, is denied. For bilateral hallux valgus, no compensable ratings are assigned.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was manifested by forward flexion to 90 degrees with painful motion upon examination and a combined range of motion greater than 120 degrees but not greater than 235 degrees. Bilateral hallux valgus did not require surgical operation or be equivalent to amputation.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Disc Disease of the Lumbar Spine, Bilateral Hallux Valgus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- January 18, 2019
- Citation
- 19104704
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,828 · Granted: 32% (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 19104704.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
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- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to August 31, 2020.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and Degenerative Disc Disease of the Lumbar Spine due to a duty to assist error. The AOJ is instructed to obtain relevant medical records, including SSA disability records and Federal prison medical records, and request an addendum opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's back disorder.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral pes planus, left foot toes, right foot toes, left knee condition, right knee condition, and back condition due to potential errors in decision-making process.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted a TDIU due to his service-connected PTSD with major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, as well as his lumbar spine disorder. The Board found the evidence in balance regarding whether these conditions render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.
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