The veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was granted a 20 percent evaluation effective December 1, 1999. The RO also granted an increased 20 percent evaluation for cervical spine disability from September 26, 2000 to January 22, 2003 and a temporary total evaluation based on surgical treatment necessitating convalescence.
The deciding factor: The veteran's lumbar spine disability met the criteria for a 20 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 5292 due to moderate limitation of motion. The cervical spine disability from September 26, 2000 to January 22, 2003 was rated at 20 percent based on recurrent attacks with intermittent relief.
- Claimed conditions
- degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- September 27, 2007
- Citation
- 0730436
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 0730436.
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's hypertension, left knee patellofemoral syndrome, and right knee patellofemoral syndrome have been granted service connection as secondary to his service-connected disabilities. The lumbar spine disability has also been granted but the effective date is not specified.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are granted as service-connected. The Veteran's cervical spine disability is remanded for further examination to determine the current severity of his condition.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for various conditions, including allergic rhinitis, sleep apnea, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, lower extremity radiculopathies, and left lower extremity radiculopathy with foot drop. The issues include determining if these conditions are related to service or other factors.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities require regular aid and attendance, which grants entitlement to special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance. The issue of entitlement to special monthly compensation at a housebound rate is moot due to the grant of aid and attendance.
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