The veteran's low back disability was increased to a 100 percent rating effective from July 24, 2002 due to surgery and convalescence. The RO then reduced the evaluation for his low back disability to 20 percent effective October 1, 2002. A separate 20 percent evaluation was assigned for associated left leg neurological deficits.
The deciding factor: The veteran underwent a laminotomy and diskectomy in July 2002 which resulted in significant weakness due to L4-5 nerve root compression, most likely from post-surgical foraminal stenosis or pre-existing nerve damage.
- Claimed conditions
- Low back strain, Degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, Left peroneal nerve impingement
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 100%
- Decision date
- July 10, 2003
- Citation
- 0315499
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 0315499.
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 remands the claim for an increased rating for low back strain to correct a pre-decisional duty to assist error.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including the side effects of medication taken to treat his back disability, precluded substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational experience.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a retrospective medical opinion to assess the severity and manifestations of the Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral spine disability.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for a lumbar spine disability, bilateral knee disabilities, and bilateral hip disabilities to obtain an adequate medical opinion.
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