The Veteran's low back strain with degenerative disc disease and left leg radiculopathy are currently evaluated at 40 percent. The right knee, left knee, and left ankle disabilities have been separately evaluated as well. The Veteran is granted increased evaluations for his service-connected conditions.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence supports the current evaluations of the Veteran's service-connected low back strain with degenerative disc disease and associated left leg radiculopathy at 40 percent. Separate evaluations were assigned to the right knee, left knee, and left ankle disabilities based on their respective symptoms and limitations.
- Claimed conditions
- Low Back Strain, Left Leg Radiculopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- September 26, 2011
- Citation
- 1136199
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 1136199.
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 degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine and left leg radiculopathy have been granted a 40 percent rating. However, his right leg radiculopathy and left leg radiculopathy are remanded for further review.
- Granted
The Board has granted a rating of 40 percent for the Veteran's service-connected low back strain with degenerative arthritis, effective from September 26, 2008. The decision is based on functional limitation equivalent to forward flexion limited to 30 degrees or less due to pain and other symptoms.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's low back strain is rated at 40 percent, and the issues of IBS and CFS are dismissed. The Veteran's PTSD and depressive disorder with a major depressive episode do not meet criteria for a higher rating. Service connection is granted for cervical strain and right knee pain.
- Denied
The Veteran's low back strain disability was denied a higher rating prior to July 20, 2020. Separate ratings of 10 percent were granted for radiculopathy affecting the sciatic and femoral nerves in the lower extremities from July 20, 2020.
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