The veteran's low back disorder, characterized by severe limitation of motion and moderate incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve, is currently rated at 60 percent. The Board finds that this rating adequately reflects his disability.
The deciding factor: The veteran's current disability evaluation for degenerative disc disease at L4-L5 and L5-S1 with radiculitis does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation as he already has a maximum 60 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 5293, which is the highest available for intervertebral disc syndrome.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease at L4-L5 and L5-S1, Radiculitis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 60%
- Decision date
- July 6, 2005
- Citation
- 0518385
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 0518385.
What this means for you
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's request for an effective date prior to April 10, 2018, for the award of special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance. The decision found that no formal or informal claim was filed within one year before the receipt of his claim on April 20, 2018.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to April 10, 2018, for the award of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on need for regular aid and attendance was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not file a formal or informal claim for SMC before April 20, 2018, and that it was not factually ascertainable he needed regular aid and attendance within one year prior to his claim.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection of PTSD has been granted. The Board also remanded the cases for further development and examination, including for radiculitis, PTSD, and wrist disability.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his back disability is denied as the evidence does not show that he meets or approximates the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to October 13, 2009 and 40 percent from October 13, 2009 forward.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for his right lower extremity radiculopathy is denied as the evidence does not show that he meets or approximates the criteria for a separate compensable rating prior to October 13, 2009.
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