Veterans’ RightsAn independent resource for veterans
← All decisions
Granted

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and associated radiculopathy have been rated at the maximum available benefit, with a 20 percent rating for each issue since June 29, 2017.

The deciding factor: The evidence shows that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability has not resulted in ankylosis or forward flexion of less than 30 degrees from June 29, 2017 onwards, which would warrant a higher rating. The radiculopathy associated with his lumbar spine disability is currently rated at the maximum available benefit.

Claimed conditions
lumbar spine herniated nucleated pulposus L4-5, status post-surgery with degenerative disc disease, degenerative joint disease L4-5 and L5-S1, and intervertebral disc syndrome, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity associated with lumbar spine herniated nucleated pulposed L4-5, status post-surgery with degenerative disc disease, degenerative joint disease L4-5 and L5-S1, and intervertebral disc syndrome, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity associated with lumbar spine herniated nucleated pulposus L4-5, status post-surgery with degenerative disc disease, degenerative joint disease L4-5 and L5-S1, and intervertebral disc syndrome
How they argued it
Direct service connection
Exposure basis
None
Rating assigned
20%
Decision date
January 9, 2018
Citation
1801437

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 1801437.

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.

Free starter guide for your own claim

Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.

We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.

We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.

This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.