The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for his lower back disability has been denied. The VA examiner found that the Veteran’s symptoms do not meet the criteria for unfavorable ankylosis or IVDS, and therefore, a higher rating is not warranted.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence does not show unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine or IVDS characterized by incapacitating episodes with total duration of at least 6 weeks during the past 12 months that require bed rest prescribed by a physician and treatment by a physician.
- Claimed conditions
- lower back strain, laminectomy at L-4 and L-5 with herniated lumbar discs, degenerative disc disease (DDD), spinal stenosis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- March 17, 2021
- Citation
- 21015262
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 21015262.
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 service connection claims for degenerative disc disease, intervertebral disc syndrome, spinal stenosis, and bilateral lower extremity sciatica have been granted as they are related to his active duty service.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disability, diagnosed as lumbar strain, spinal stenosis and degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the lumbar spine, is causally related to service. As such, service connection for this condition is granted.
- Granted
The Veteran's degenerative arthritis with intervertebral disc syndrome to include spinal stenosis and lumbar scoliosis, right knee total arthroplasty, and left knee strain are all granted service connection as directly related to his military service.
- Granted
The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is denied as not meeting VA criteria for a disability.,The Veteran's left ACL tear, right ankle sprain, lower back strain, and right shoulder strain are all denied as not meeting VA criteria for a disability.
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