The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were granted, with the lumbar spine DDD rated at 20 percent effective March 10, 2009. The radiculopathy of both lower extremities was each assigned a 20 percent rating effective March 10, 2009.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine DDD and radiculopathies were rated based on their current manifestations as they did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine or intervertebral disc syndrome criteria. The effective date was set at March 10, 2009.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease (DDD), lumbar spine, Radiculopathy, right lower extremity, Radiculopathy, left lower extremity
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- July 12, 2016
- Citation
- 1627727
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 1627727.
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 Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, and the appeal for an increased rating is denied. The Veteran's degenerative osteoarthritis and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, radiculopathy, right lower extremity, diabetic nephropathy chronic kidney disease, right great toe bunion and gout, and TDIU are all granted.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's service connected thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease, cervical spine degenerative disc disease, radiculopathy of the right upper and lower extremities, and radiculopathy of the left upper and lower extremities are all remanded for further development.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for an increased initial rating for a low back disability and radiculopathy, right and left lower extremities due to a need for additional evidence.
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection for SLAP tear, right upper extremity and denied service connection for radiculopathy, left lower extremity. Service connection was granted for radiculopathy, right lower extremity effective September 13, 2021.
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