The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected laminectomy defect at L5-S1 with decreased disc space at L5-S1 was granted, and he is currently receiving a 10 percent evaluation.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner concluded that the veteran still suffers from low back pain due to chronic degenerative changes, which improved since his surgery. The veteran's testimony supported this finding by describing his ongoing symptoms such as dull, achy pain with shooting pain down into his left lower extremity and constant numbness or tingling across the bottom of his feet.
- Claimed conditions
- laminectomy defect at L5-S1 with decreased disc space at L5-S1
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- June 19, 2000
- Citation
- 0016147
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 0016147.
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.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's headaches are at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected traumatic brain injury, and thus grants service connection for this condition.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.
- Granted
The Veteran's major depressive disorder is found to be caused by his service-connected low back and radiculopathy disabilities, which prevent him from doing enjoyable activities and daily living tasks.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active service or any related exposure.
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