The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected low back disability and right lower radiculopathy were denied. The claim for left lower radiculopathy was granted with a separate compensable evaluation.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found that the Veteran’s symptoms did not meet the criteria for higher ratings based on incapacitating episodes or ankylosis, but rather supported the current 20% rating for his low back disability and the 10% rating for right lower radiculopathy.
- Claimed conditions
- Low back injury, Left lower radiculopathy, Right lower radiculopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 23, 2011
- Citation
- 1146967
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1146967.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including persistent depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, is found to have begun during service. Effective February 4, 2020, a 20% rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy is granted. The effective date of the separate 20% rating for left lower radiculopathy remains January 14, 2021.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for low back injury, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus to allow for further development of evidence.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied service connection for low back injury, groin injury, arthritis (claimed as rib cage injury), and left side nerve damage (claimed as side injury) due to a lack of evidence supporting the claims.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's back disability, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis of the spine, degenerative disc disease, spondylosis of the spine, and intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), is granted.,The Veteran's left upper neuropathy is related to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents and is granted.,The Veteran's right upper neuropathy is related to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents and is granted.,The Veteran's right lower radiculopathy, causally due to his service-connected back disability, is granted.,The Veteran's left lower radiculopathy, causally due to his service-connected back disability, is granted.
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