The Veteran's lumbar strain is rated at 20 percent, effective July 10, 2017. The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is rated at 10 percent from August 26, 2005.
The deciding factor: The evidence shows that the Veteran has degenerative disc disease with lumbar strain and mild intermittent radicular pain in his right lower extremity. The Board granted a higher rating for these conditions based on the severity of symptoms and functional impairment.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease with lumbar strain, Right middle ear dysfunction
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- July 2, 2018
- Citation
- 18115599
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 18115599.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided the first issue and denied a higher evaluation for DDD with lumbar strain. The second issue of service connection for diabetes type 2 as secondary to service-connected disabilities, including obesity as an intermediate step, is remanded due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for his service-connected lumbar spine and lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors. The issues include degenerative disc disease with lumbar strain, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy of the femoral nerve, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, and TDIU.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, as he was able to secure and maintain employment in the past.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new VA examination and completion of the VA Form 21-8940. The issues of increased rating for lumbar spine disability and TDIU are pending.
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