The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent, and his radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities are each rated at 10 percent. The claims for increased ratings are granted.
The deciding factor: The evidence shows that the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability manifests as degenerative arthritis with intervertebral disc syndrome, which is currently evaluated at 20 percent under the general rating formula for diseases and injuries of the spine. His radiculopathy of the lower extremities is rated separately at 10 percent each.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar spine degenerative arthritis with intervertebral disc syndrome, radiculopathy of right lower extremity, radiculopathy of left lower extremity
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- August 17, 2015
- Citation
- 1535131
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 1535131.
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
- Dismissed
The Board has dismissed the appeal of the issue regarding radiculopathy of left lower extremity. The Veteran's degenerative disc disease with spondylolisthesis, right shoulder impingement syndrome, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity are all granted as secondary to service-connected conditions.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a new VA examination. The issue at hand is whether the Veteran should receive an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for his major depressive disorder associated with lumbar spine degenerative arthritis with intervertebral disc syndrome.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis with intervertebral disc syndrome, bilateral hip disabilities (right and left), limitation of extension, and TDIU. The reasons include the need to consider the ameliorative effects of medications used by the Veteran.
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