The veteran's postoperative residuals of a laminectomy at L4-5 are productive of decreased sensation over the right foot, slight weakness of the left leg, and pain on motion. The RO granted a 20 percent evaluation for this condition in January 1969. In March 1998, the veteran appealed for an increased evaluation due to his recent cervical spine surgeries. After a VA examination in August 1998, the Board of Veterans' Appeals (BVA) granted a 40 percent evaluation based on moderate symptoms with recurring attacks.
The deciding factor: The BVA found that the level of disability attributable to the veteran's postoperative residuals of a laminectomy of L4-5 fell between the schedular criteria for a 20 percent and 40 percent evaluations. The examiner noted some neurological signs, such as decreased sensation over the right foot and left leg strength being somewhat diminished.
- Claimed conditions
- postoperative residuals of a laminectomy of L4-5
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- September 5, 2000
- Citation
- 0023525
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 0023525.
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
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