The Veteran's multilevel degenerative changes of the lumbar spine with radiculopathy have been rated at 20 percent since September 27, 2006. The Board found that his current disability does not warrant a higher rating as it has manifested by pain and limited motion.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's back disability is currently evaluated under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine with a combined range of motion of the thoracolumbar spine not greater than 120 degrees, which corresponds to a 20 percent evaluation. The Board found that his current symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for higher ratings.
- Claimed conditions
- multilevel degenerative changes of the lumbar spine, radiculopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- May 14, 2010
- Citation
- 1017997
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 1017997.
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.
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- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for neurological impairment of the right and left lower extremities, variously diagnosed as neuropathy and radiculopathy, which is secondary to the Veteran's service-connected back disability.
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The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have caused occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. The effective date for the grant of service connection for radiculopathy, right lower extremity is granted as August 24, 2012.
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