This decision grants the Veteran's claims for an effective date of July 22, 2002 for a 20 percent rating for radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities, as well as for his back disability. The effective dates are granted based on credible lay testimony from the Veteran regarding when he began experiencing symptoms related to these conditions.,TDIU was also granted effective July 22, 2002.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including radiculopathy of the lower extremities and his back disability, have resulted in a combined rating of at least 60 percent. This meets the criteria for TDIU as per VA regulations.
- Claimed conditions
- radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, back disability (characterized as thoracolumbar degenerative spondylosis with spondylolisthesis, multi-level degenerative disc disease, degenerative joint disease, and chronic lumbar strain)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- September 6, 2018
- Citation
- 18132418
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 18132418.
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 denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his physical limitations could be accommodated by sedentary employment.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has denied service connection for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity and remanded the claim for adjustment disorder. The Veteran's radiculopathy is not shown to be related to his military service, while his adjustment disorder may be related to civilian life.
- Dismissed
The Board has dismissed all service connection claims and rating determinations due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for low back disability and radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities due to a failure to provide adequate reasons or bases in the November 2024 decision as to whether the pre-decisional duty to assist had been satisfied.
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