The Veteran's service-connected back disability and associated left lower extremity neurological impairment are currently rated at 10 percent, effective December 31, 2002. The Board found that the current evaluations do not adequately reflect the severity of his disabilities.
The deciding factor: The evidence showed subjective complaints of near-constant low back pain with slight limitation of motion and no more than mild neurological impairment in the left lower extremity.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine, Neurological manifestation of decreased sensation of the left lower extremity
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- January 7, 2010
- Citation
- 1000938
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 1000938.
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.
- Partly granted
The Board granted an earlier effective date of September 1, 2016, for the 40 percent rating assigned for degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine and denied a rating in excess of 40 percent.
- Granted
The Board granted an effective date of June 1, 1996, for the grant of service connection for degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine because the Veteran did not receive notice of the initial denial in 1996 and his claim remained pending.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for heart attack (myocardial infarction) status post triple coronary bypass, degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine, and an initial 10 percent rating for hypertension.
- Denied
The Board denied a compensable rating for hearing loss and left eyebrow laceration, remanded an effective date prior to April 23, 2018, for the award of service connection for left femoral nerve radiculopathy, and considered other issues including service connection for a neck disability (secondary) and ratings for various conditions.
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