The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was rated at 40 percent effective November 20, 1989. The claim for a higher rating is moot due to the grant of a single 60 percent rating for his combined spine disabilities. A separate 10 percent rating for left cervical radiculopathy has been granted and remains in effect. Effective November 20, 1989, the Veteran's TDIU and DEA eligibility were established.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was rated at 40 percent effective November 20, 1989, due to persistent symptoms compatible with sciatic neuropathy. The claim for a higher rating is moot as he already has a single 60 percent rating for his combined spine disabilities.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, Left cervical radiculopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 60%
- Decision date
- May 4, 2016
- Citation
- 1618066
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 1618066.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied the claims for earlier effective dates and a compensable rating, as there was no evidence of an informal or formal claim prior to September 27, 2022.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that additional medical opinions are needed to address the etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities, particularly regarding secondary service connection. The claims for cervical spine disability and associated radiculopathy, lumbar spine disability, bilateral hip disabilities, and migraine headaches are being remanded.
- Granted
The Veteran's cervical spine disorder and left cervical radiculopathy are granted service connection. The claim for an increased rating for left ankle degenerative joint disease is remanded.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to ambiguities in the VA examination reports and the need for additional information regarding the Veteran's cervical spine disability.
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