The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was rated at 40 percent effective May 1, 2015. The rating for left leg nerve radiation remains at 10 percent.
The deciding factor: The VA examination in July 2017 confirmed the presence of unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine, warranting a 40% rating under Diagnostic Code 5237.
- Claimed conditions
- Ankylosis of par defect L5 S/P L5-S1 ALIF, posterior stabilization L5-S1 with left laminectomy at L5-S1 (lumbar spine disability), Left leg nerve radiation
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- November 9, 2017
- Citation
- 1751511
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 1751511.
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.
- Denied
The Veteran's ankylosis of par defect L5 s/p L5-S1 ALIF, posterior stabilization L5-S1 with left laminectomy at L5-S1 is rated at 40 percent since December 30, 2014. The initial rating for left leg nerve radiation remains at 10 percent.
- 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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