The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, effective November 19, 2008. The appeal involves the propriety of this initial rating.
The deciding factor: The VA determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability warranted a 20% evaluation since November 19, 2008 based on his symptoms and range of motion findings.
- Claimed conditions
- herniated nucleus pulposus lumbar spine L3 and L4-L5, postoperative, degenerative disc disease of thoracolumbar spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- January 21, 2011
- Citation
- 1102519
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 1102519.
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 Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine is being remanded due to a lack of a VA medical examination and insufficient competent medical evidence.
- Denied
The Veteran's service connection claim for chronic kidney disease and degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine was denied. The Board also remanded claims for increased ratings for radiculopathy in both lower extremities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and medical opinions addressing the Veteran's lay reports about his in-service symptoms and their relation to his current disabilities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 20 percent for degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to assess the current severity of his disability.
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