The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease is currently rated at 40 percent, effective September 16, 2005. The AMC granted a separate 10 percent rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy and left lower extremity radiculopathy.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's lumbar spine disability resulted in significant functional impairment due to pain, weakness, and flare-ups, warranting the current 40 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 5242.
- Claimed conditions
- post-traumatic lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, left shoulder degenerative joint disease, left knee arthritis, right fifth finger injury residuals
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- October 19, 2010
- Citation
- 1039114
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 1039114.
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 Veteran's claim for a higher rating for left shoulder degenerative joint disease with glenohumeral joint instability was denied as his disability did not more nearly approximate limitation of motion to 25 degrees from the side.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew her appeal regarding the service connection for left and right knee arthritis, thus the appeal is dismissed.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and dismissed all other appeals related to various joint conditions.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to lack of functional impairment. The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine if any service-connected disability results in loss of use of both lower extremities, one lower extremity and one upper extremity, or residuals affecting balance and propulsion.
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