The veteran's appeal of the initial ratings for his service-connected L4-L5 disc bulge with radiculopathy and arthritis of the thoracic spine from T9 to T12 is denied as he is already receiving the maximum disability rating available under Diagnostic Code 5293 and 5285, respectively.
The deciding factor: The veteran's service-connected L4-L5 disc bulge with radiculopathy and arthritis of the thoracic spine from T9 to T12 are rated as per their respective diagnostic codes. The RO assigned the maximum schedular ratings for these conditions based on the clinical findings provided in the VA examination reports.
- Claimed conditions
- L4-L5 disc bulge with radiculopathy, arthritis of the thoracic spine from T9 to T12
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- June 5, 2000
- Citation
- 0014687
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 0014687.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected IVDS with radiculopathy and osteoarthritis of the thoracolumbar spine is now rated at 40 percent effective May 14, 2008. The previous ratings for L4-L5 disc bulge with radiculopathy (lumbar spine disability) and arthritis of the thoracic spine from T9 to T12 remain unchanged.
- Remanded (sent back)
The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the current nature and extent of his service-connected lumbar spine and thoracic spine disabilities.
- 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.
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