The Veteran's low back disorder did not require doctor-prescribed bed rest and did not result in unfavorable ankylosis of the thoracolumbar spine, thus preventing a higher rating.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not show that the Veteran’s low back condition required bed rest or resulted in unfavorable ankylosis.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- May 8, 2019
- Citation
- 19135313
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,548 · Granted: 31% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted 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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 19135313.
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.
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The Board has found that there has not been substantial compliance with the October 2025 remand directives and additional medical opinions discussing the ameliorative effects of medication related to the Veteran's lumbar spine, right shoulder, and headache disabilities must be obtained.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for further development and readjudication.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for a higher disability rating and TDIU due to the need for a new VA examination.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment due to his limitations on walking, sitting, standing, lifting, carrying, and sleep disturbances.
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