The Veteran's disability rating for lumbar radiculopathy, L5-S1 vertebral bodies, with compression deformity of the L4 vertebral body is increased to 70 percent.
The deciding factor: The VA examination and medical opinions supported a finding that the Veteran's disability picture warranted a higher rating based on orthopedic manifestations (limitation of flexion) and neurologic manifestations (sciatic nerve paralysis).
- Claimed conditions
- IVDS of the thoracolumbar spine, left sural mononeuropathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 24, 2015
- Citation
- 1531654
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1531654.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board granted readjudication of the claims for service connection based on new and relevant evidence, but remanded several issues for further development.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's IVDS of the thoracolumbar spine is now rated at 40 percent, effective June 30, 2020. The right ankle disability has been restored to a 10 percent rating from June 22, 2016.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent disabling prior to December 30, 2010, and in excess of 20 percent disabling as of February 1, 2011, for IVDS of the thoracolumbar spine was denied by the Board. The evidence showed that the Veteran's disability did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings for IVDS of the cervical and thoracolumbar spine were denied as his disabilities did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.
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