The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for DDD, lumbar spine was denied as the evidence did not show that his condition warranted a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to April 15, 2004 and 20 percent thereafter.
The deciding factor: The VA examiners found no objective evidence of forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine at or below 30 degrees, which is required for a higher rating under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine (General Rating Formula).
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD), lumbar spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 12, 2019
- Citation
- 19171087
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 19171087.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative disc disease, lumbar spine and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy to correct duty to assist errors.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the issues of spine disability evaluation and TDIU, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's lumbar spine condition.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to unresolved issues regarding the Veteran's service connection for lumbar spine disability, TDIU, and SMC. The claims are pending further development.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for service-connected Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) of the cervical and lumbar spine due to insufficient evidence from a previous VA examination, including lack of recent treatment records and an updated clinical evaluation.
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