The Veteran's back condition, including IVDS and radiculopathy of the lower extremities, is rated at 40 percent disabling since March 22, 2017. The appeal for higher ratings remains denied.
The deciding factor: The most recent VA examination found that the Veteran’s back condition limits his ability to perform activities such as lifting more than 20 lbs, bending, and standing due to pain and weakness. His radiculopathy is rated at moderate severity in both lower extremities.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) of the lumbar spine with intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- October 3, 2019
- Citation
- 19176117
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,592 · 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 19176117.
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.
- Partly granted
The Board restored the previous ratings for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with intervertebral disc syndrome and left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, but denied higher ratings for other conditions.
- Granted
The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was initially rated at 10 percent and later increased to 40 percent effective August 10, 2021. The claim remains on appeal as the initial rating is still being considered.
- Denied
The Veteran's DDD of the lumbar spine with IVDS was denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent prior to November 12, 2019.,As of November 12, 2019, a higher rating for DDD of the lumbar spine with IVDS is also denied.,A 20 percent disability rating was granted for left lower extremity radiculopathy effective November 7, 2017.,A 20 percent disability rating was granted for right lower extremity radiculopathy effective February 6, 2018.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional examinations and to obtain relevant medical records. The issues include increased ratings for lumbar spine DDD with IVDS, right knee degenerative arthritis, and left knee degenerative arthritis.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.