The Veteran's intervertebral disc syndrome, L5-S1, was granted an initial rating of 60 percent from February 16, 1995 to July 20, 2004. Beginning July 21, 2004, the Veteran is entitled to a separate 20 percent rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy associated with intervertebral disc syndrome and an initial rating of 20 percent for peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity.
The deciding factor: The VA examination findings supported the grant of higher ratings based on the severity of the Veteran's symptoms and functional impairment, including incapacitating episodes and neurological manifestations.
- Claimed conditions
- Intervertebral disc syndrome, L5-S1, Peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, Right lower extremity radiculopathy associated with intervertebral disc syndrome
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- April 29, 2015
- Citation
- 1518548
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 1518548.
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 Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his bilateral lower extremity neuropathy due to diabetes mellitus, have resulted in loss of use of both lower extremities. The Board has granted eligibility for specially adapted housing and dismissed the claim for a special home adaptation grant as moot.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error, requiring clarification on whether the Veteran's left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is early-onset and if it is related to Agent Orange exposure during service.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of both the right and left lower extremities, finding that it is at least as likely as not caused by or aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected hypertension.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left upper and lower extremities due to herbicide agent exposure, as there is a pre-decisional duty to assist error that occurred prior to the date of the AOJ decision on appeal.
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