The Board has determined that the Veteran is entitled to a disability rating of 20 percent for his lumbar spine disability, effective December 22, 2008. The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy was rated as 10 percent prior to April 5, 2015 and as 20 percent thereafter.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence shows that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability has resulted in functional limitations approximating no more than forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 60 degrees, or combined range of motion of the thoracolumbar spine not greater than 120 degrees.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, old pars defect at L5, thoracic spine dextroscoliosis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- August 31, 2017
- Citation
- 1736337
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 1736337.
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 Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, as there are insufficient medical opinions and records. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further development.
- Denied
The Veteran's initial rating for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease was denied, and his claims for right knee, left knee, right hand, left hand, GERD, neck disability, and bilateral hearing loss were also denied. The effective date of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was granted on December 14, 2022.
- Dismissed
The appeal for service connection of left knee condition, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, left hip osteoarthritis, and right hip osteoarthritis is dismissed due to lack of jurisdiction over the August 2021 rating decision. Service connection for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, left hip osteoarthritis, and right hip osteoarthritis are granted.
- Dismissed
The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for increased disability ratings in excess of 20 percent for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and right shoulder labral tear, including superior labral anterior-posterior lesion. The appeal is dismissed.
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