The Veteran's lower back disorder, resulting in severe lumbosacral strain and limited forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine, is rated at 40 percent. The Veteran also has right and left lower extremity neuropathy secondary to his lower back disorder, which warrants separate 10 percent ratings. Additionally, he has bladder impairment/increased urinary frequency as a result of his lower back disorder, warranting a separate noncompensable rating. A single tender scar related to the Veteran's lower back surgery is rated at 20 percent.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence supports the current evaluation for the Veteran's lower back disorder and associated neuropathy and bladder impairment.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, Cervical spine disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- June 30, 2010
- Citation
- 1024348
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 1024348.
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 denied an increased rating for allergic rhinitis and remanded the claims for cervical spine, hip, thigh, and hip extension disorders for further development.
- Partly granted
The appeal was denied for service connection of a cervical spine disorder, and several claims were remanded for further development.
- Denied
The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for generalized anxiety disorder and an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation post ablation, finding the evidence did not support a higher rating. The claims for service connection for cervical spine disorder, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and right upper extremity radiculopathy were remanded.
- Dismissed
The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's death while it was pending.
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