The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is rated at 40 percent, and his left and right lower extremity radiculopathy are each rated at 10 percent. The appeal for a higher rating remains pending.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found that the Veteran’s degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine resulted in forward flexion limited to 25 degrees, which meets the criteria for a 40 percent evaluation under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine. The radiculopathy was rated based on its severity as moderate for the left leg and mild for the right leg.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Arthritis of the Lumbar Spine, Left Lower Extremity Radiculopathy (Sciatica), Right Lower Extremity Radiculopathy (Sciatica)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- May 18, 2018
- Citation
- 18103397
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 18103397.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee degenerative arthritis and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, finding no clear and unmistakable error in the July 2019 rating decision.
- Granted
The Veteran's initial ratings for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and radiculopathies of both lower extremities have been granted, with effective dates from December 3, 2020, to October 7, 2024.
- Granted
The Veteran's PTSD and tinnitus are granted service connection, while anxiety is denied. The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome do not meet the criteria for service connection.,Service connection for left elbow tendinitis is remanded due to lack of evidence.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided that the Veteran is not eligible for PCAFC benefits due to a lack of personal care services and supervision. The decision will be remanded to allow for further review by VA.
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