The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with IVDS is granted from November 23, 2015 to August 10, 2018. The claim for a disability rating in excess of 40 percent is denied. Service connection for right ankle, left ankle, and left knee disabilities are all denied.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with IVDS was manifested by functional impairment approximating limitation of forward flexion to not greater than 30 degrees during the period from November 23, 2015 to August 10, 2018.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with intervertebral disc syndrome
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- October 28, 2021
- Citation
- 21066197
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 21066197.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the cases for additional development to obtain updated VA treatment records and any relevant private treatment records. The Veteran must provide authorization for these records.
- Granted
The Veteran's lumbar disability, right and left lower extremity sciatic radulopathy, and cervical spine disability are all granted service connection. The cervical spine disability is remanded for further examination.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's low back disability is currently rated at 40 percent for the period from August 27, 2007 to July 21, 2013. The Board has determined that additional development is needed due to conflicting evidence regarding the extent of his disability during this time.
- Denied
The Veteran's initial request for higher ratings for his service-connected back condition was denied. The rating assigned prior to June 6, 2019, is 10 percent and the rating after that date is 40 percent.
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