The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbosacral degenerative disc disease warrants a rating of 60 percent, effective from October 28, 2013. The separate ratings for right lower extremity radiculopathy (40 percent), left lower extremity sciatic nerve involvement (20 percent), bladder incontinence (60 percent), and bowel incontinence (30 percent) are also granted.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's lumbosacral degenerative disc disease is manifested by pain, with forward flexion limited to between 20 and 45 degrees. The separate ratings for the associated neurological impairments were assigned as part of the overall rating for his service-connected disability due to their direct relationship.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbosacral degenerative disc disease, right lower extremity sciatic nerve involvement, left lower extremity sciatic nerve involvement, bladder incontinence, bowel incontinence
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 60%
- Decision date
- March 9, 2016
- Citation
- 1609488
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 1609488.
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
The Veteran's bowel incontinence is rated at 60 percent, but not more. The Board also granted a TDIU prior to January 18, 2013.
- Denied
The Board found the reduction in disability evaluation from 40% to 20% was improper and void ab initio due to inadequate examination for reduction.
- Denied
The Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for bowel incontinence and residuals scarring associated with a colon biopsy are denied, as is his claim for service connection for chronic headaches. His claims for lumbosacral strain and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy are granted.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for bowel incontinence was granted with an effective date of November 12, 2015. The Board found that the AOJ did not properly handle the supplemental claim application and implicitly waived any procedural defects.
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