The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder and assigned a 40 percent disability evaluation. The veteran is seeking a higher initial rating.
The deciding factor: The RO initially assigned a 40 percent rating based on clinical findings from a December 1998 VA examination, which was later remanded due to the absence of current clinical findings.
- Claimed conditions
- herniated lumbar disc at L5-S1, degenerative disc disease at L4-5 and L5-S1
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- October 16, 2000
- Citation
- 0027392
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 0027392.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for lumbar spine disability. The case is remanded for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative disc disease at L5-S1 and herniated lumbar disc at L5-S1 are related to service, thus granting service connection for these conditions.
- Denied
The Veteran's initial claim for a higher evaluation for his herniated lumbar disc at L5-S1 was denied. Service connection for cervical spine disorder and paresthesias of the left upper extremity were also denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has ordered a VA examination to determine if the veteran's degenerative disc disease at L4-5 and L5-S1 is related to his military service. The case will be remanded for this purpose.
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