The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent, with separate ratings for L4-L5 radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities. The claim for increased rating remains granted.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence does not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion or ankylosis of the lumbar spine. However, there is objective evidence of mild radiculopathy in both lower extremities due to the service-connected lumbar spine disability.
- Claimed conditions
- Recurrent low back pain with degenerative joint disease, L4-L5 radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, L4-L5 radiculopathy of the right lower extremity
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- May 5, 2017
- Citation
- 1715144
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 1715144.
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
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