The Veteran is granted a 40 percent rating for his lumbar spine disability prior to April 17, 2012. However, the claim for a higher rating from April 17, 2012 is denied.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on ankylosis or intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) symptoms requiring bed rest prescribed by a physician and treatment by a physician.
- Claimed conditions
- Mechanical low back pain with minimal discogenic degenerative changes at L4-5 (lumbar spine disability)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- August 29, 2019
- Citation
- 19166804
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 19166804.
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
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