The Veteran's lumbar and cervical spine disabilities are each rated at 20 percent, but the Board found they do not warrant higher ratings based on the criteria provided.
The deciding factor: The Veteran’s disability did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine (Diagnostic Codes 5235 to 5243).
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Joint Disease of Lumbar Spine, Thoracic Spine Strain, IVDS (Intervertebral Disc Syndrome)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- October 16, 2023
- Citation
- 23056283
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 23056283.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for service connection regarding cervical strain with IVDS, spinal fusion, and spinal stenosis was dismissed because the Veteran died during the pendency of the appeal.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine and left leg radiculopathy have been granted a 40 percent rating. However, his right leg radiculopathy and left leg radiculopathy are remanded for further review.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence was submitted to warrant readjudication of the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, including degenerative arthritis and IVDS, as well as bilateral pes planus. The claims are now remanded for further development.
- Denied
The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, herniated disc, IVDS and spinal stenosis is rated at 40 percent since August 19, 2020. The appeal period did not show unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes of IVDS.
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