The Veteran's low back disability is rated at a 60 percent rating, effective October 18, 2014. The claim for an earlier effective date was denied.
The deciding factor: The earliest date in which it was factually ascertainable that the Veteran’s low back disability met the 20 percent disability rating criteria was October 18, 2014.
- Claimed conditions
- chronic low back strain with degenerative disc disease at L5-S1, spondylolysis L5, grade I anterior spondylolisthesis L5-S1
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 60%
- Decision date
- June 15, 2018
- Citation
- 18111344
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 18111344.
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 Veteran's spondylolisthesis L5-S1 with spondylolysis L5 and levoscoliosis with disc bulging L2-L5 results in forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine ranging from 50 to 90 degrees, associated with pain. The disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as it does not result in ankylosis or incapacitating episodes requiring bed rest prescribed by a physician and treatment by a physician.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the current medical evidence is insufficient to decide the claim for service connection, and a new VA examination is needed.
- 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.
- 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.
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.