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
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- 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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1801437.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted as the evidence shows a current diagnosis of PTSD, an in-service stressor, and a medical link between the two.
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