The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was rated at 10 percent prior to April 2, 2008 and increased to 20 percent thereafter. The right wrist disability was granted a 30 percent rating effective September 13, 2007. The radiculopathy of the right lower extremity received a separate evaluation of 10 percent.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's lumbar spine disability met criteria for a higher initial rating but not at the maximum level (40% under General Rating Formula). His right wrist disability was granted based on favorable ankylosis, which is rated as 30%. The radiculopathy of the right lower extremity received separate evaluation due to its distinct nature.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Lumbar Disc Disease, Radiculopathy of the Right Lower Extremity
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- February 7, 2012
- Citation
- 1204603
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 1204603.
What this means for you
A partial grant means some issues were granted while others were denied or remanded — common in multi-issue claims. Look at which issues went which way, and how each was argued.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board found that the evidence did not show an actual improvement in the Veteran's conditions, and thus denied the reduction requests for his service-connected disabilities.
- Granted
The Veteran's low back disability is granted service connection.,Service connection for radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities are also granted.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative disc disease with spinal stenosis, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity.
- Partly granted
The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's back disability, radiculopathy of both lower extremities, limitation of pronation and flexion of the right elbow, and scarring, but granted a 40 percent rating from March 26, 2024 to September 17, 2024.
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