The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability was granted at a 20% rating prior to September 20, 2016. After that date, the claim for an increased rating was denied. The Veteran also has noncompensable radiculopathy of the right lower extremity.
The deciding factor: The most recent VA examination indicated muscle spasm or guarding severe enough to result in abnormal spinal contour (scoliosis) without evidence of scoliosis on imaging, leading to a 20% rating for the lumbar spine disability prior to September 20, 2016. The claim was denied thereafter as there is no indication of additional impairment warranting an increased rating.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral foot disability, lumbar spine disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- January 25, 2018
- Citation
- 1805039
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 1805039.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the claims for miscarriage, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, and right elbow disability due to insufficient examination opinions and incomplete service history verification.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral foot disability is related to his active military service and grants service connection for this condition.
- Dismissed
The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disability, right knee disability, lumbar spine disability, and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as these issues have been addressed in a separate docket.
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