The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine with a history of myositis and associated sciatica was granted, with a final effective date of December 6, 2006. The Veteran is now rated at 40 percent for his low back disability.
The deciding factor: The most recent VA examination in December 2006 demonstrated severe limitation of motion (flexion to 65 degrees) and moderate neurological manifestations affecting the left lower extremity, warranting a 40 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 5292.
- Claimed conditions
- degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine with a history of myositis, sciatica of the left lower extremity
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- January 28, 2010
- Citation
- 1004172
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 1004172.
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 claims for service connection for lumbar spine condition, sciatica of the bilateral lower extremities, and bilateral hips due to outstanding VA records. The Veteran's treatment records from Fayetteville VAMC need to be re-associated with the claims file.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him substantially confined to his dwelling and immediate premises prior to his death, granting entitlement to special monthly compensation (SMC) based on housebound status for accrued purposes.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for service connection for a teeth disability, sciatica of the right lower extremity, and sciatica of the left lower extremity are being remanded due to the need for additional development.
- Granted
The Veteran's service connection claim for a back condition is granted. The claims for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve are denied.
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