The Board found that the reduction of the Veteran's disability rating from 20 percent to 10 percent for spondylosis at L5-S1 with referred pain to lower extremities was not proper.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show improvement in the service-connected low back disability such that it no longer met the criteria for a 20 percent rating.
- Claimed conditions
- spondylosis at L5-S1, referred pain to lower extremities
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 7, 2012
- Citation
- 1241877
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 1241877.
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 appeal to reopen service connection for spondylosis at L5-S1 was granted. Service connection for the spine disorder is also granted. The appeals for service connection for anxiety and bipolar disorder are remanded.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for spondylosis at L5-S1, left hip condition, and left thigh condition due to incomplete development of evidence and need for further medical opinions.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was rated at 10 percent prior to December 15, 2011 and at 40 percent thereafter. The claim for separate evaluations for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy is addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA spine examination and requests for SSA records.
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