The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent, effective from the date of his claim. The Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's lumbar spine disability does not meet the criteria for an increased evaluation as it does not demonstrate unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes meeting the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 5243.
- Claimed conditions
- Cervical spine disorder, Cervical radiculopathy in both upper extremities, Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), Bilateral hand disorder, Right shoulder disorder, Bilateral restless leg syndrome
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- December 7, 2017
- Citation
- 1756603
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 1756603.
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 remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disorder and psychiatric disorder due to incomplete information. The Veteran needs to provide his complete service personnel records, verify his alleged combat experience in Vietnam, and undergo VA examinations for both conditions.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disorder, finding that there was no evidence of a causal relationship between his current condition and his military service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal for service connection for Dupuytren's contracture of the left hand, right hand, and GERD is remanded due to inadequate VA examination opinions and failure to consider toxic exposure risk activities during service.
- Denied
The Veteran's GERD is currently rated at 10 percent disabling, but the Board found that his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.
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