The Veteran's claim for a higher disability evaluation for her lower back disability, which includes degenerative disc disease and intervertebral disc syndrome, was denied. The Board found that the disability does not meet criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent after February 19, 2019.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's disability did not result in unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes as required by the applicable diagnostic codes.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease (DDD) and intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- October 24, 2023
- Citation
- 23057745
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 23057745.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and examinations.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating of her lumbar spine disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy due to incomplete development. The Veteran is also being asked to undergo further testing to determine if her voiding dysfunction is related to her back disability.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar strain with DDD and IVDS disability most nearly approximates a 40 percent rating throughout the appeal period.
- 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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