The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was rated at 60 percent from June 26, 2012 to August 23, 2012 and again from October 10, 2012 to October 1, 2014. From October 1, 2014 to July 10, 2019, the Veteran's disability was rated at 10 percent. Since July 11, 2019, it has been rated at 20 percent.
The deciding factor: The Veteran’s lumbar spine disability did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic code.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar degenerative disc disease (DDD), intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 60%
- Decision date
- November 6, 2020
- Citation
- 20071836
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 remands the issue of entitlement to an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis of the spine and intervertebral disc syndrome.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a separate 20 percent rating for intervertebral disc syndrome based on limited cervical range of motion and a 40 percent rating for IVDS based on limited thoracolumbar range of motion, while dismissing the appeal for service connection for a right knee disability.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar degenerative disc disease, left and right knee strain with tendinitis, and gastroesophageal reflux disease. The TDIU claim was dismissed.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability, diagnosed as degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease, intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), and lumbosacral strain, based on the Veteran's consistent account of having low back problems since service.
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