The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 40 percent, but the Board denied a higher rating as his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.
The deciding factor: The Veteran’s current symptomatology does not warrant a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic code.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar degenerative arthritis, intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- December 15, 2020
- Citation
- 20079177
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 20079177.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the case for further development and readjudication of the veteran's claims.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for lumbar degenerative arthritis and right lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the lumbar degenerative arthritis.
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