The veteran's initial claim for higher ratings for his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and associated neuropathy of the left lower extremity was granted, with a 40 percent evaluation assigned effective February 8, 2002, for both conditions. The decision also noted that there were no incapacitating episodes or other factors warranting higher ratings.
The deciding factor: The veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was rated based on its orthopedic manifestations and associated neuropathy of the left lower extremity was rated separately under Diagnostic Code 8520. The decision found that the veteran did not meet criteria for higher ratings due to lack of incapacitating episodes or other factors.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, Neuropathy of the left lower extremity
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- February 24, 2006
- Citation
- 0605422
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,599 · Granted: 37% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 0605422.
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 has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his lumbar spine and right hip disabilities due to a duty to assist error. The effective date for DEA benefits is granted as May 1, 2014.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date and higher initial rating for his back disability is denied. The effective date remains March 29, 2021, as the earliest date of claim. An initial rating in excess of 20 percent for the back disability from March 29, 2021, is also denied.
- Granted
The Veteran's low back disability and right leg radiculopathy are granted service connection, but left leg radiculopathy is denied.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU, finding that his service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.
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