The Veteran's service-connected back disability is rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the current evidence.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's traumatic herniated nucleus pulposus at T11-T12, status post laminectomy does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as it does not result in forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine being 30 degrees or less; nor is there unfavorable ankylosis. The radiculopathy associated with this condition also does not warrant a higher rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Traumatic Herniated Nucleus Pulposus at T11-T12, Status Post Laminectomy, Radiculopathy of the Left Lower Extremity, Radiculopathy of the Right Lower Extremity, Rhinitis and History of Sinusitis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- February 16, 2012
- Citation
- 1205908
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 1205908.
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: Dismissed
The Board has dismissed the appeals for discontinuance of TDIU, reduction of disability rating for acquired psychiatric disorder, and reduction of disability rating for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity due to lack of response from the Veteran within the required timeframe.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied an increased rating for PTSD, a TDIU prior to July 13, 2019, and increased ratings for the lumbar spine disability and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity.
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