The Board has granted a 60 percent rating for the service-connected lumbar spine intervertebral disc syndrome and associated radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities effective from September 23, 2002.
The deciding factor: The veteran's symptoms included severe limitation of motion with bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, persistent sciatic neuropathy, and demonstrable muscle spasm. These findings met the criteria for a 60 percent rating under the former Diagnostic Code 5293.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar intervertebral disc syndrome, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 60%
- Decision date
- May 11, 2006
- Citation
- 0613802
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 0613802.
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 initial ratings higher than the assigned percentages for service-connected conditions, including migraine headaches, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, lumbosacral strain, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy.
- Partly granted
The Veteran was granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance, SMC at the M level based on loss of use of the lower extremities, and SMC at the O level based on the award of SMC L and SMC M. The claim for SMC based on housebound status was dismissed as moot.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for a back disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, but denied service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, chronic sinusitis, bilateral hand tremors, and bilateral restless leg syndrome. The Board also granted an increased rating of 50 percent for obstructive sleep apnea.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings, finding no evidence of a current disability or sufficient link to military service.
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