The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 50 percent after January 23, 2017, for his low back disability and also denied entitlement to a TDIU prior to November 3, 2020.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not support an increased rating or TDIU as the Veteran's functional loss was not consistent with unfavorable ankylosis of the entire spine or incapacitating episodes requiring prescribed bedrest and having a total duration of at least six weeks during a 12-month period.
- Claimed conditions
- chronic lumbosacral strain with spinal stenosis, intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), status post L5-S1 decompression and microdiscectomy, arthritis post laminectomy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 1, 2025
- Citation
- 25005967
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 Board remands the issue of entitlement to an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis of the spine and intervertebral disc syndrome.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a separate 20 percent rating for intervertebral disc syndrome based on limited cervical range of motion and a 40 percent rating for IVDS based on limited thoracolumbar range of motion, while dismissing the appeal for service connection for a right knee disability.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability, diagnosed as degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease, intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), and lumbosacral strain, based on the Veteran's consistent account of having low back problems since service.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings, as well as service connection for several conditions.
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