The Veteran's service-connected lumbar disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy are currently rated at 20 percent and 10 percent, respectively. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for either condition.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's degenerative disc disease lumbar spine and lumbosacral strain do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation as forward flexion is limited to at most 50 degrees with pain, which does not warrant an increased rating under Diagnostic Code 5243. The Veteran also does not have unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine and there are no periods of doctor-prescribed bed rest resulting in incapacitating episodes.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease lumbar spine, Lumbosacral strain, Left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- March 10, 2016
- Citation
- 1609800
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 1609800.
What this means for you
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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 remanded the claims for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for the lumbar spine disability prior to October 11, 2022 and since December 1, 2022. The Veteran's claim is currently rated at 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 5242.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis and a lumbosacral strain, is at least as likely as not related to his active service. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to a deficiency in the April 2024 VA medical examination, specifically regarding passive range of motion testing for pain.
- Granted
The Veteran's lumbar disorder, diagnosed as DDD and a lumbosacral strain, has been granted service connection. The Board found that the disability is related to his military service.
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