The veteran's lumbar spine disability was initially rated at 10 percent prior to January 30, 2001. From that date until May 11, 2004, the disability was rated at 40 percent. As of May 11, 2004, the veteran's disability is rated at 60 percent.
The deciding factor: The most recent VA examination conducted as of May 11, 2004, demonstrated significant radiographic findings including acquired spinal stenosis and mild degenerative disc disease. The veteran also reported pain that radiated laterally to the left buttock and then down the posterolateral hip and thigh to mid calf.
- Claimed conditions
- facet arthropathy with degenerative disc disease and spinal stenosis, lumbar spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 60%
- Decision date
- February 21, 2006
- Citation
- 0604815
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.
- Granted
The veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for right knee strain, left knee strain, lumbar radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, and lumbar radiculopathy of the left lower extremity. It also granted initial ratings for various disabilities including a 20 percent rating for lumbar degenerative disc disease with intervertebral disc syndrome, spondylosis, and spondylolisthesis, a 30 percent rating for labral tear, including superior labral anterior-posterior lesion, status post surgical repair, and higher ratings for other conditions.
- Dismissed
The appeal for earlier effective dates for lumbar spine and bilateral lower extremity sciatica was dismissed due to a procedural defect in the docketing of the appeal.
- Dismissed
The appeal to reopen the previously denied claims for service connection for bilateral foot, lumbar spine, and right leg conditions is dismissed due to the Veteran's death.
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