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 assigned
- 20%
- 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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 1241877.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.