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
- Not verified here — check the original 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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 20014559.
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 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.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: 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.
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