The Veteran's lumbosacral spine disc herniation and bulging, neural foraminal narrowing, and stenosis are currently rated at 40 percent. The appeal is granted as the Veteran retains some range of motion in his back.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations show that the Veteran has retained some range of motion in his thoracolumbar spine, preventing a higher rating under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbosacral spine disc herniation and bulging, neural foraminal narrowing, stenosis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- May 17, 2017
- Citation
- 1716866
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 1716866.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development due to the need for a VA examination and consideration of his claims.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of his service-connected lumbar spine disability was denied. The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence.
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability due to a grant in October 2025. The back condition claim is granted with a 30% evaluation effective September 22, 2016.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for cervical spine degenerative disc disease, spondylosis, and stenosis based on the evidence showing that these conditions originated during active service.
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