The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for myofascial pain syndrome of the lumbar spine with degenerative disc disease was denied. The rating prior to August 28, 2006 is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. For the period from August 28, 2006 onwards, the Veteran's claim is also denied as there are no incapacitating episodes of significant duration and no evidence of ankylosis.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on limitation of motion or other symptoms. There were no incapacitating episodes of significant duration during the appeal period, nor was there evidence of ankylosis.
- Claimed conditions
- myofascial pain syndrome of the lumbar spine with degenerative disc disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- November 21, 2019
- Citation
- 19188098
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 19188098.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent, effective August 28, 2006. The Board granted a TDIU prior to March 20, 2008.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar myositis, psychoneurosis and conversion hysteria, residuals of shrapnel wounds of the left thigh and pelvis with retained foreign bodies and scars, and residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right thigh and left leg. The veteran was also denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected coronary artery disease, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of his condition.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected musculoligamentous strain, right knee, is currently rated at 10 percent and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.
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