The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated as 10 percent disabling, and his bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy is separately rated at 10 percent each. The Board finds no basis for a higher rating.
The deciding factor: The Veteran’s lumbar spine disability does not meet the criteria for a higher than 10 percent rating under any applicable diagnostic code due to lack of evidence showing forward flexion limited to 60 degrees or less, combined range of motion limited to 120 degrees or less, muscle spasms resulting in abnormal gait or spinal contour, or loss of more than 50% of the vertebral body height.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar strain with degenerative changes, radiculopathy in both lower extremities (sensory)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 20, 2013
- Citation
- 1316509
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 1316509.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim of service connection for a lumbar spine disability due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.
- Granted
The Veteran's back brace, used to treat her service-connected lumbar strain with degenerative changes, caused wear and tear on her clothing. Her application for a 2014 annual clothing allowance was timely submitted, and the Board granted the claim.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for lumbar strain with degenerative changes has been denied. The Veteran is currently rated at 40 percent for this condition, effective August 22, 2016.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar strain with degenerative changes and right knee condition are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and medical opinions.
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