The Veteran's initial compensable rating for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was denied prior to May 4, 2016. A rating more than 10 percent after May 4, 2016 is also denied.,An effective date prior to January 5, 2010 for special monthly compensation (SMC) under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) is denied because the Veteran did not meet the schedular criteria prior to that date.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was rated based on limitation of motion and pain, but her range of motion findings were within normal limits or did not demonstrate the required limitations for a higher rating. There is no evidence of ankylosis, abnormal gait, or other disabling symptoms that would warrant a higher rating.,The Veteran's service-connected disability was rated as total due to additional disabilities independently ratable at 60 percent or more, but she did not meet the schedular criteria for SMC prior to January 5, 2010.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 28, 2019
- Citation
- 19140904
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,642 · Granted: 19% (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 19140904.
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- Granted
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- Denied
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