The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent prior to January 25, 2024, and a rating in excess of 30 percent from that date for cervical spine degenerative disc disease, as well as a rating in excess of 20 percent prior to January 25, 2024, and a rating in excess of 40 percent from that date for lumbar spine intervertebral disc syndrome and degenerative disc disease.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not support ratings higher than those currently assigned due to the severity of the Veteran's symptoms not meeting or approximating the criteria for higher ratings under applicable regulations.
- Claimed conditions
- cervical spine degenerative disc disease, lumbar spine intervertebral disc syndrome and degenerative disc disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 15, 2025
- Citation
- A25034490
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 claims for a higher rating in excess of the current ratings for various musculoskeletal conditions.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for multiple musculoskeletal conditions and a psychiatric condition, all of which were determined to be caused by an in-service injury.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and remanded several service connection claims.
- Partly granted
The Board denied increased disability evaluations for several conditions, dismissed claims for others, and remanded two issues for further development.
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