The Veteran's lumbar strain with degenerative joint disease was granted an initial rating of 10 percent prior to August 8, 2005 and increased to 40 percent thereafter. The left lower extremity radiculopathy was granted a separate compensable rating of 20 percent effective October 28, 2011.,The Veteran's GERD was granted an initial 30 percent disability rating. Residuals, fracture, left distal fibula and medial malleolus were granted a 30 percent disability rating from October 28, 2011. The right ankle disability claim is denied.,Service connection for the Veteran's claimed right ankle disability was not established.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's lumbar strain with degenerative joint disease met criteria for a higher initial rating prior to August 8, 2005 and from October 28, 2011. The left lower extremity radiculopathy met criteria for a separate compensable rating effective October 28, 2011. GERD met criteria for an initial 30 percent disability rating. Residuals of fracture, left distal fibula and medial malleolus did not meet criteria for higher ratings from October 28, 2011. Service connection for the right ankle disability was denied.,The Veteran's lumbar strain with degenerative joint disease met criteria for a higher initial rating prior to August 8, 2005 and from October 28, 2011. The left lower extremity radiculopathy met criteria for a separate compensable rating effective October 28, 2011. GERD met criteria for an initial 30 percent disability rating. Residuals of fracture, left distal fibula and medial malleolus did not meet criteria for higher ratings from October 28, 2011. Service connection for the right ankle disability was denied.,The Veteran's lumbar strain with degenerative joint disease met criteria for a higher initial rating prior to August 8, 2005 and from October 28, 2011. The left lower extremity radiculopathy met criteria for a separate compensable rating effective October 28, 2011. GERD met criteria for an initial 30 percent disability rating. Residuals of fracture, left distal fibula and medial malleolus did not meet criteria for higher ratings from October 28, 2011. Service connection for the right ankle disability was denied.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar strain with degenerative joint disease, left lower extremity radiculopathy, GERD
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 11, 2013
- Citation
- 1308089
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 1308089.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy and denied the claims for right knee disability, erectile dysfunction, GERD, sleep apnea, and hypertension. The decision is remanded for further action on these issues.
- Granted
The Board has granted earlier effective dates for the grant of service connection for middle and index trigger finger/stenosing tenosynovitis of the right hand, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy. The earliest effective date is June 30, 2012, for the right hand condition and April 22, 2016, for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy.
- Denied
The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have left lower extremity radiculopathy or any related symptoms causing impairment in earning capacity during the appeal period, and therefore service connection for this condition is denied.
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.