The Board denied the veteran's request for an earlier effective date for a 40 percent disability rating for lumbar IVDS with degenerative arthritis. The decision was based on the lack of evidence showing the condition met the criteria for such a rating before May 18, 2022.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the medical evidence prior to May 18, 2022, did not show the veteran's lumbar IVDS with degenerative arthritis resulted in forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine of 30 degrees or less; ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine; or incapacitating episodes requiring bedrest prescribed by a physician and treatment by a physician.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) with degenerative arthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 30, 2025
- Citation
- A25008475
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 575 · Granted: 29% (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 A25008475.
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 a higher back rating and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling an updated VA examination.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial disability rating greater than 10 percent for lumbar IVDS with degenerative arthritis, an initial disability rating greater than 10 percent for left lower extremity sensory deficit prior to May 25, 2017, an increased disability rating greater than 40 percent for left lower extremity sensory deficit from May 25, 2017, and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to May 25, 2017. The remand is due to the need for additional examinations to assess the severity of the Veteran's service-connected conditions.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar myositis, psychoneurosis and conversion hysteria, residuals of shrapnel wounds of the left thigh and pelvis with retained foreign bodies and scars, and residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right thigh and left leg. The veteran was also denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected coronary artery disease, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of his condition.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.