The Board has granted a 40 percent rating for the Veteran's low back disability and increased ratings for radiculopathies of both lower extremities, effective from February 28, 2013. The decision also addressed whether higher ratings were warranted for these conditions.
The deciding factor: The evidence demonstrated that the Veteran's low back disability was productive of favorable ankylosis and incapacitating episodes of six weeks or more during any 12 month period, warranting a 40 percent rating under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine. The radiculopathies were manifested by moderately severe incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve, which also warranted separate ratings.
- Claimed conditions
- lower back disability, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- September 24, 2015
- Citation
- 1541144
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 1541144.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received to reconsider the Veteran's claims for service connection for left hip, left knee, right hip, and lower back disabilities. The claim for left hip disability is remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left knee and lower back disabilities due to incomplete information about the Veteran's duty status during his periods of active service in the National Guard and Reserves.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his physical limitations could be accommodated by sedentary employment.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has denied service connection for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity and remanded the claim for adjustment disorder. The Veteran's radiculopathy is not shown to be related to his military service, while his adjustment disorder may be related to civilian life.
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