The Board has granted an initial rating of 20 percent for the Veteran's lumbar degenerative disc disease and intervertebral disc syndrome, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's back disability warrants this rating.
The deciding factor: The evidence shows forward flexion limited to 45 degrees or below, with muscle spasms, an abnormal gait, and decreased lordosis. The Board found these findings sufficient to warrant a 20 percent rating under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar degenerative disc disease (DDD), intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) (back disability)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- February 9, 2023
- Citation
- 23008483
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 23008483.
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 claim for service connection for tinnitus has been denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between the condition and his military service.,Service connection for a rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbar DDD has also been denied due to lack of evidence supporting an increase in disability level.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the issues of effective dates and ratings related to lumbar spine strain, Dupuytren's contracture in the left hand with ankylosis, and Dupuytren's contracture in the right hand with osteoarthritis. The Board dismissed these appeals.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected back disability was denied an increased rating, with a final rating of 40% since May 2, 2018.
- Granted
The Veteran's service connection for benign prostate hypertrophy is granted. However, the Veteran's increased rating claim for lumbar degenerative disc disease is denied.
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