The veteran's low back disability was rated at 40 percent from the effective date of service connection to August 3, 1998.,From August 4, 1998, the rating increased to 60 percent due to more severe symptoms and functional impairment.
The deciding factor: The veteran's low back disability was associated with degenerative spondylosis and herniated nucleus pulposus at L5-S1, resulting in constant pain (at times incapacitating), muscle spasms, reduced/painful motion, weakened movement, and inability to ambulate without assistive devices.
- Claimed conditions
- Chronic low back disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 26, 2001
- Citation
- 0126709
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0126709.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unemployable as of January 26, 2001, and the Board granted a total disability rating for compensation based on individual unemployability (TDIU) effective from that date.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability, cold injury residuals, and right foot injury are not related to service or manifest within one year of separation. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's TDIU was granted based on the combined rating of his service-connected disabilities (chronic low back disability, PTSD, diabetes mellitus, and diabetic retinopathy) meeting the schedular criteria as of June 3, 2005.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board found that the Veteran's low back disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied his claim.
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