The Veteran's degenerative disc disease at L5-S1 is currently rated as 20% disabling, effective from May 1, 2009. Separate ratings for the left posterior tibial and internal saphenous nerves are being remanded.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner diagnosed the Veteran with nerve impairment of the left posterior tibial and left internal saphenous nerves, which is a separate issue from his degenerative disc disease at L5-S1.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease at L5-S1, Neuralgia of the left lower extremity
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- September 15, 2015
- Citation
- 1539565
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 1539565.
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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeal for separate ratings for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected low back and bilateral shoulder disabilities, as well as the extension of a temporary total disability rating due to convalescence following surgery on his lumbar spine, are being remanded due to failure to substantially comply with previous Board instructions.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of recent VA examination for the Veteran's low back disability, which may affect its severity assessment.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease at L5-S1 and back arthritis, finding that the Veteran's symptoms of back arthritis started during service and have been continuous since then. The decision is based on presumptive service connection due to chronic disease.
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