The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain with IVDS and mild recurrent major depressive disorder, with somatic pain disorder was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the current level of disability.
The deciding factor: The evidence showed no ankylosis of the spine or incapacitating episodes due to IVDS, which are required for higher ratings under the applicable VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities (Rating Schedule).
- Claimed conditions
- lumbosacral strain with intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), mild recurrent major depressive disorder, with somatic pain disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 27, 2024
- Citation
- A24086340
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 A24086340.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
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 a duty to assist error in the initial rating decision. The VA examiner is requested to provide an addendum opinion regarding the severity of the Veteran's lumbosacral strain with IVDS without considering the ameliorative effects of medication, and to provide a retrospective opinion on its severity during the period from October 1, 2011, to October 4, 2023.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and initial ratings for his service-connected disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating of 40 percent for lumbosacral strain with intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) is denied, as there is no evidence showing the disability has most closely approximated IVDS with incapacitating episodes or forward flexion limited to 30 degrees during the past 12 months.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for bilateral shoulder conditions, lumbosacral strain with IVDS, and bilateral hip conditions to correct pre-decisional duty to assist errors.
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