The Veteran's degenerative disc disease, lumbar spine is currently rated at 20 percent and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record. The Veteran’s forward flexion was found to be up to 40 degrees with pain in the December 2019 VA examination.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's degenerative disc disease, lumbar spine does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as it does not result in limitation of motion that is more than or equal to 30 degrees of forward flexion without additional loss of function due to pain, weakness, etc.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Disc Disease, Lumbar Spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 19, 2021
- Citation
- 21022689
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 21022689.
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 Veteran's back disability was rated at 10 percent from August 31, 2009, to February 18, 2010, and May 1, 2010, to October 9, 2019. After October 9, 2019, the Veteran's disability was rated at 20 percent.,The Veteran is seeking a higher rating for his back disability after October 9, 2019.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that additional medical examinations are needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected conditions, including adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, degenerative disc disease lumbar spine, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain with osteoarthritis. The Board has also determined that a remand is necessary for the issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to May 9, 2016.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, lower back pain, and bilateral leg numbness.
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