The Veteran's degenerative disc disease at L4-S1 was granted an increased rating of 20 percent prior to September 30, 2016. The right thigh muscle injury to muscle group XV and varicose veins of the left leg were each granted a compensable (10%) rating prior to December 12, 2018.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's symptoms included pain, stiffness, decreased motion, spasms, and flare-ups that limited his range of motion. These issues met the criteria for a 20 percent rating under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine due to limitation of forward flexion.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease at L4-S1
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- February 23, 2022
- Citation
- 22010321
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 22010321.
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.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is currently rated at 10 percent, and his range of motion does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The claim for PTSD remains pending.
- Denied
The veteran's low back disability, characterized by mechanical pain and degenerative disc disease at L4-S1, is currently rated as 20 percent disabling. The Board found that the condition does not warrant a higher rating based on current symptoms.
- Remanded (sent back)
The veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding his employability and conducting VA examinations.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar myositis, psychoneurosis and conversion hysteria, residuals of shrapnel wounds of the left thigh and pelvis with retained foreign bodies and scars, and residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right thigh and left leg. The veteran was also denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
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