The Veteran's lumbar strain is currently rated as 40 percent disabling, effective April 24, 2008. He also experiences neurological impairment from the low back disability manifested by radiculopathy of the left lower extremity rated as 20 percent disabling since October 6, 2010, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity rated as 10 percent disabling since April 24, 2008.,The Veteran's lumbar strain is currently rated as 40 percent disabling, effective April 24, 2008. He also experiences neurological impairment from the low back disability manifested by radiculopathy of the left lower extremity rated as 20 percent disabling since October 6, 2010.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's lumbar strain is currently rated as 40 percent disabling under the general rating formula for diseases and injuries of the spine. The neurological impairment from the low back disability is separately rated based on Diagnostic Code 8520 for incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar strain, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- January 10, 2018
- Citation
- 1801865
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 1801865.
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.
- Dismissed
The appeal regarding the proposed reduction of the Veteran's disability rating for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity was dismissed as it was not a final decision. The Board also remanded the claim for service connection for a left hip disability due to an inadequate VA examination.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection and increased ratings due to a need for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and updated VA treatment records.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection and increased ratings due to a procedural error regarding notice of the right to a pre-decisional hearing.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for various disabilities, including knee and foot conditions, a low back disability, radiculopathy, tinnitus, and a neck condition, to correct pre-decisional errors in fulfilling VA's duty to assist by rescheduling missed examinations.
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