The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was initially rated at 10 percent and later increased to 40 percent effective August 10, 2021. The claim remains on appeal as the initial rating is still being considered.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found that the Veteran’s forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine was limited to 65 degrees with painful motion starting at 55 degrees, meeting the criteria for a 40 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 5243.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) of the lumbar spine with intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- March 11, 2022
- Citation
- 22013982
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 22013982.
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.
- Partly granted
The Board restored the previous ratings for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with intervertebral disc syndrome and left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, but denied higher ratings for other conditions.
- Denied
The Veteran's DDD of the lumbar spine with IVDS was denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent prior to November 12, 2019.,As of November 12, 2019, a higher rating for DDD of the lumbar spine with IVDS is also denied.,A 20 percent disability rating was granted for left lower extremity radiculopathy effective November 7, 2017.,A 20 percent disability rating was granted for right lower extremity radiculopathy effective February 6, 2018.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional examinations and to obtain relevant medical records. The issues include increased ratings for lumbar spine DDD with IVDS, right knee degenerative arthritis, and left knee degenerative arthritis.
- Denied
The Veteran's back condition, including IVDS and radiculopathy of the lower extremities, is rated at 40 percent disabling since March 22, 2017. The appeal for higher ratings remains denied.
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