The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40% effective from May 21, 2014. The left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome (claimed as hands) is granted a rating of 40% effective from May 7, 2018.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was rated at 40% due to the severity and duration of his symptoms, including incapacitating episodes over the past 12 months. The left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome is rated higher as it has been manifested by moderate intermittent pain, paresthesias, and hand weakness.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar discopathy, lumbar degenerative joint disease (DDD), lumbar degenerative disc disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- August 14, 2018
- Citation
- 18126008
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 18126008.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment prior to August 14, 2023.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations and compensation were dismissed due to his death while the appeal was pending.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for migraines, lumbar degenerative disc disease with associated lower extremity radiculopathy, and right and left lower extremity radiculopathy. Service connection is denied for left hip strain and right hip strain.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back condition was denied in December 2009, and the effective date of this denial is May 8, 2013.,The Veteran's claim for right lower extremity radiculopathy associated with his lumbar spine disability was also denied in December 2009, and the effective date of this denial is May 8, 2013.,The Veteran's claim for a postoperative back scar related to his service-connected lumbar spine disability was denied in December 2009, and the effective date of this denial is May 8, 2013.
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