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Denied

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his low back disability and associated lower extremity radiculopathy were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not warrant a rating higher than 30 percent for the low back disability or higher than 10 percent for the associated radiculopathy.

The deciding factor: The Veteran's forward flexion of his thoracolumbar spine was not limited to 30 degrees or less, and he did not have favorable ankylosis. His associated radiculopathy caused no more than mild incomplete paralysis of the affected nerve.

Claimed conditions
Low Back Disability (Central Herniated Nucleus Pulposus at L5-S1), Associated Radiculopathy of the Right Lower Extremity, Associated Radiculopathy of the Left Lower Extremity
How they argued it
Direct service connection
Exposure basis
None
Rating assigned
30%
Decision date
July 2, 2012
Citation
1222976

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 1222976.

What this means for you

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