The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent from February 5, 2025 and granted a TDIU effective October 16, 2023. The rating for IVDS and lumbar spine degenerative arthritis with spondylosis remains at 20 percent from December 12, 2022 to April 6, 2024.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's disability was rated based on the functional equivalent of forward flexion limited to 30 degrees or less and incapacitating episodes. The rating is granted as per these criteria.
- Claimed conditions
- IVDS (Intervertebral Disc Syndrome), lumbar spine degenerative arthritis with spondylosis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- March 13, 2026
- Citation
- A26022931
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 A26022931.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for service connection regarding cervical strain with IVDS, spinal fusion, and spinal stenosis was dismissed because the Veteran died during the pendency of the appeal.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence was submitted to warrant readjudication of the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, including degenerative arthritis and IVDS, as well as bilateral pes planus. The claims are now remanded for further development.
- Denied
The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, herniated disc, IVDS and spinal stenosis is rated at 40 percent since August 19, 2020. The appeal period did not show unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes of IVDS.
- Granted
The Veteran's service connection for IVDS, lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and bilateral knee osteoarthritis is granted. Secondary service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition as secondary to these conditions is also granted. The Veteran's sinusitis is rated at 30 percent.
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