The Veteran's spondylosis is rated at 40 percent throughout the appeal period, with no higher rating possible due to lack of unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not show unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine or the entire spine, and there are no other factors that would warrant a higher rating.
- Claimed conditions
- spondylosis L5-S1, L4-L5, L5-S1 disc bulging with neural foraminal stenosis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- August 9, 2018
- Citation
- 18125313
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 18125313.
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 granted service connection for spondylosis L5-S1 and a left hip condition. The case is remanded to obtain updated treatment records, provide another VA examination, and determine the relationship between the Veteran's left thigh condition and active service.
- Denied
The Veteran's low back disability was rated as 20 percent disabling from April 14, 2009, to February 15, 2010, and October 1, 2010, to October 23, 2011.,From October 24, 2011, the Veteran's disability rating was increased to 60 percent due to incapacitating episodes of IVDS lasting at least six weeks over the past 12 months.
- 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.
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