The Veteran's service-connected degenerative changes of the lower back are rated at 20 percent prior to October 16, 2008, and at 40 percent since then. Additionally, a separate 10 percent rating is granted for right leg radiculopathy.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's range of motion was found to be limited in both the thoracolumbar spine and the right lower extremity, warranting increased ratings under Diagnostic Codes 5242 and 8520 respectively.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative changes of the lower back, Right leg radiculopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- December 2, 2009
- Citation
- 0945858
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 0945858.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities prior to May 28, 2015.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for COPD from August 10, 2022, under the PACT Act and remanded other claims for further development.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and eligibility for specially adapted housing and special home adaptation benefits, as well as an earlier effective date for a disability rating.
- Dismissed
The veteran withdrew the appeal for all issues, and the Board has no jurisdiction to review this appeal.
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