The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with facet arthropathy is currently rated at 40 percent, which fully contemplates all symptoms including pain and limitation of motion. The evidence does not show ankylosis or incapacitating episodes.,The Veteran’s right inguinal hernia residuals are currently rated at 10 percent due to the presence of one painful linear scar in his groin area. There is no indication of three or more unstable or painful scars, which would warrant a higher rating under Code 7804.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with facet arthropathy does not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 40 percent as there is no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes (doctor-prescribed bedrest) having a total duration of at least 6 weeks during a 12-month period.
- Claimed conditions
- Lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with facet arthropathy, Residuals, right inguinal hernia, postoperative, Carpal tunnel syndrome, left wrist, Carpal tunnel syndrome, right wrist
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 25, 2020
- Citation
- 20014559
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 20014559.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to a procedural error in severing service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome of the left wrist. The Veteran's claim will be reviewed again with an addendum opinion addressing whether her left wrist condition is aggravated by her right wrist condition.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for hemorrhoids prior to April 18, 2016 was denied as the evidence did not show that her hemorrhoids met the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's claims for evaluations in excess of 10 percent for carpal tunnel syndrome of the right and left wrists were remanded due to incomplete records. The claim for residuals of a right ankle fracture was also remanded.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to August 11, 2021 was remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other claims.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome, right wrist as there is no current diagnosis of this condition and the symptoms are already accounted for by her service-connected right wrist strain.
- Granted
The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions have been granted, with a noncompensable evaluation assigned for bilateral pes planus as of August 3, 2009.
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.