The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis of the thoracolumbar spine and a compensable rating for unspecified headache.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show that the Veteran's back disability resulted in forward flexion limited to 30 degrees or less, or favorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine; unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine; or unfavorable ankylosis of the entire spine. Similarly, there was no evidence that his unspecified headache symptoms caused characteristic prostrating attacks averaging one in two months over the last several months.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis of the thoracolumbar spine, Unspecified headache
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 1, 2025
- Citation
- A25039977
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.
- Denied
The appeal for an increased rating for left hip, the claims for entitlement to an earlier effective date and an increased rating for right knee strain, and the appeal for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for left shoulder strain were dismissed. The claim for a 40 percent rating from June 24, 2021 for degenerative disc disease was granted.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a lumbar spine disability as secondary to a cervical spine disability due to an inadequate medical opinion.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a higher initial rating of 40 percent for degenerative arthritis, degenerative disc disease, lumbosacral strain, and scoliosis, but remanded the other issues.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for degenerative disc disease, effective November 21, 2022.
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