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
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- 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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1538731.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
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: 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.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: 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.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.