The Board has granted a 40 percent rating for the orthopedic manifestations of the Veteran's low back disability, effective March 4, 2016. The Board also found that the Veteran is entitled to a 10 percent rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy from January 12, 2014 through September 7, 2016, and an increased rating of 20 percent thereafter.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence shows that the orthopedic manifestations of the Veteran's low back disability have been manifested by forward flexion limited to no more than 30 degrees with painful motion. This is consistent with a 40 percent rating under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.
- Claimed conditions
- Peripheral radiculopathy of bilateral upper extremities, Low back disability (lumbar discogenic disease L5/S1), Left lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- March 1, 2018
- Citation
- 1813042
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 1813042.
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 has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis with abnormal curvature of the lumbar spine and left lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy, finding that there is no evidence to support a direct relationship between these conditions and his military service.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's claim for an automobile allowance was granted, while several other claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board also denied the claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including generalized anxiety disorder and orthopedic conditions, preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, as there was no evidence to support higher ratings or a grant of service connection.
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