The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for his low back disability and associated radiculopathy was granted, with a 20 percent rating assigned for the lumbar spine condition. The claims for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy were also granted, but only at 10 percent prior to June 23, 2014.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's low back disability was rated based on its limitation of motion, with a higher rating not warranted due to the absence of unfavorable ankylosis. The radiculopathy claims were granted but at the lowest possible ratings given the lack of associated neurologic abnormalities and other manifestations of impairment.
- Claimed conditions
- spondylosis L1-S1, facet arthritis L5-S1
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- August 19, 2016
- Citation
- 1633047
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 1633047.
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 Board finds that the veteran's low back disorder, manifested by facet arthritis at L5-S1, likely existed prior to service and was aggravated during active duty. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar myositis, psychoneurosis and conversion hysteria, residuals of shrapnel wounds of the left thigh and pelvis with retained foreign bodies and scars, and residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right thigh and left leg. The veteran was also denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected coronary artery disease, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of his condition.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected musculoligamentous strain, right knee, is currently rated at 10 percent and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.
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