The Board granted an initial rating of 20 percent for degenerative disc disease (DDD)/intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) prior to July 2, 2019, but denied a higher rating for the entire period. The other claims for increased ratings were denied.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's lumbar spine DDD/IVDS manifested as forward flexion limited to 45 degrees after repeated use over time from February 1, 2016, which supported a 20 percent rating prior to July 2, 2019. However, there was no evidence of more severe symptoms that would warrant a higher rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD)/Intervertebral Disc Syndrome (IVDS), Radiculopathy (Sciatic nerve), left lower extremity, Radiculopathy (Sciatic nerve), right lower extremity, Radiculopathy (Femoral nerve), left lower extremity, Radiculopathy (Femoral nerve), right lower extremity, Osteoarthritis, bilateral knees, Osteoarthritis, right shoulder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 21, 2025
- Citation
- A25045887
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,592 · Granted: 19% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 A25045887.
What this means for you
A partial grant means some issues were granted while others were denied or remanded — common in multi-issue claims. Look at which issues went which way, and how each was argued.
What you can do next
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- Denied
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