Prior to July 8, 2013, the Veteran's lumbar spine disability was rated at 20 percent for arthritis of the lumbosacral spine with bilateral radiculopathy.,From July 8, 2013, the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent for degenerative disc disease with spondylolisthesis of L5 and S1.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence did not demonstrate ankylosis or incapacitating episodes that would warrant higher ratings.
- Claimed conditions
- Arthritis of the lumbosacral spine, Bilateral radiculopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- September 10, 2015
- Citation
- 1538731
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 1538731.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for residuals of a back injury of the lumbar spine and bilateral radiculopathy, and awarded a total disability rating based on individual unemployability as of May 9, 2019.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the matter for additional evidentiary development to properly assess the severity of the Veteran's back disability, including a retrospective opinion on range of motion findings prior to April 5, 2022.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and bilateral radiculopathy, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. As his combined rating is at least 70%, TDIU has been granted.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of the lumbosacral spine, bilateral knee disability, and bilateral ankle disability. However, these issues are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development.
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