The veteran's low back disability is currently rated at 40 percent, effective January 30, 2003. The RO has also granted a separate 10 percent rating for peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity associated with his lumbar spine condition.
The deciding factor: The VA examination reports consistently indicated severe functional impairment due to degenerative disc/joint disease of the lumbar spine, warranting the highest available rating (40% under Diagnostic Code 5292).
- Claimed conditions
- degenerative disc/joint disease of the lumbar spine, peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- February 3, 2005
- Citation
- 0502533
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 0502533.
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 claims for service connection for spinal stenosis, peripheral neuropathy, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy to correct pre-decisional duty to assist errors.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a bilateral foot disability to obtain further development, including adequate VA examinations and opinions.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for a higher initial rating for other specified trauma and stressor-related disorder, service connection for peripheral neuropathy, a skin disorder of the genital region, and a right knee disability. The claim for sleep apnea was remanded.
- Dismissed
The appeal for service connection for multiple conditions was dismissed due to the untimely filing of the Board Appeal request.
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