The Veteran's service-connected low back disability is rated at 40 percent disabling, effective October 15, 2007. The claim for an increased rating for the lumbar degenerative joint disease with chronic low back pain was denied. The initial rating in excess of 20 percent for sensory radiculopathy S1 dermatome was also denied.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine, and there were no incapacitating episodes requiring bed rest prescribed by a physician.
- Claimed conditions
- Lumbar Degenerative Joint Disease with Chronic Low Back Pain, Sensory Radiculopathy S1 Dermatome
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- February 16, 2011
- Citation
- 1106400
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 1106400.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar myositis, psychoneurosis and conversion hysteria, residuals of shrapnel wounds of the left thigh and pelvis with retained foreign bodies and scars, and residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right thigh and left leg. The veteran was also denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected coronary artery disease, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of his condition.
- Denied
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- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted as the evidence shows a current diagnosis of PTSD, an in-service stressor, and a medical link between the two.
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