The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease and spinal stenosis was granted a 40 percent rating effective January 24, 2017. Separate ratings of 20 percent were assigned for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity from August 22, 2012, and for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity from August 22, 2012.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease and spinal stenosis was found to meet criteria for a 40 percent rating under the General Rating Formula due to forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine being 30 degrees or less, which is indicative of unfavorable ankylosis. Separate ratings of 20 percent were assigned for radiculopathy of both lower extremities based on symptoms equating to mild incomplete paralysis.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease and spinal stenosis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- September 21, 2017
- Citation
- 1741350
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 1741350.
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 claims for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease and spinal stenosis, as well as right lower extremity radiculopathy, are being remanded due to duty-to-assist errors. The AOJ must obtain all outstanding private medical records and schedule the Veteran for a VA examination.
- Denied
The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease and spinal stenosis, as well as remanded claims for service connection for a right foot condition, COPD, and skin cancer.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for a lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease and spinal stenosis as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus and bilateral chondromalacia of the knee.
- Granted
The Board has granted earlier effective dates of January 26, 2000 for service connection for lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease and spinal stenosis, right knee strain with degenerative arthritis, left knee strain with degenerative arthritis, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy.
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