The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder is rated at 10 percent, the minimum rating available under Diagnostic Code 5242. The Board found that his range of motion did not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to pain and other factors.
The deciding factor: The Veteran’s range of motion was sufficient to meet the requirements of a 10% disability rating under Diagnostic Code 5242, but he did not demonstrate additional functional loss due to pain or other factors that would warrant a higher rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Arthritis of Lumbar Spine, IVDS (Intervertebral Disc Syndrome)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- January 28, 2019
- Citation
- 19106290
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.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for a neck injury, including degenerative arthritis, IVDS, spinal stenosis, and history of spinal fusion, based on the evidence showing chronicity since service.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and a TDIU, finding that the evidence did not support higher disability ratings or total unemployability.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected DDD and IVDS was denied as the evidence did not show that he experienced incapacitating episodes warranting a higher rating.
- Dismissed
The appeal for high white blood cell count was dismissed. The Veteran's back disability, including degenerative disc disease and sciatic radiculopathy in both lower extremities, is now rated at 20 percent prior to March 23, 2016.
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