The Board granted a 20 percent rating for the Veteran's lumbar intervertebral disc protrusion at L4-L5 with degenerative disc disease prior to February 5, 2011. The appeal was denied for higher ratings since that time.
The deciding factor: The VA examination showed forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine limited to 90 degrees and extension to 30 degrees, which met the criteria for a 20 percent rating under the General Formula for Disease and Injuries of the Spine. The Veteran's radiculopathy was separately rated.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar intervertebral disc protrusion at L4-L5 with degenerative disc disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- August 18, 2014
- Citation
- 1436926
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 1436926.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the VA examination is inadequate and remands the case for further development, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling a VA orthopedic/neurological examination.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his lumbar spine disability is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional medical records.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar myositis, psychoneurosis and conversion hysteria, residuals of shrapnel wounds of the left thigh and pelvis with retained foreign bodies and scars, and residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right thigh and left leg. The veteran was also denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected coronary artery disease, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of his condition.
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