The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his thoracolumbar strain was granted, and he is now rated at 20 percent. Since September 15, 2013, the Veteran has been awarded an additional 10 percent rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy associated with his service-connected thoracolumbar strain.
The deciding factor: The VA examiners found that the Veteran's symptoms of muscle spasm and abnormal gait from September 15, 2013, more nearly approximated the criteria for a 20 percent rating under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine. The radiculopathy was rated separately as it met the criteria for a 10 percent rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Thoracolumbar strain, Left lower extremity radiculopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- March 8, 2018
- Citation
- 1814072
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 1814072.
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 Board has granted effective dates of July 10, 2024 for service connection for PTSD, lumbar strain, and left lower extremity radiculopathy.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew the claims for psychiatric disability and sleep apnea.,Service connection was granted for right lower extremity radiculopathy and left lower extremity radiculopathy secondary to a service-connected back disability, but denied for right wrist disability.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for degenerative disc disease prior to August 1, 2025 was denied as the evidence did not show unfavorable ankylosis of the thoracolumbar spine.,The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy prior to March 10, 2025 were denied as there is no neurological impairment associated with these conditions.
- Denied
The Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches and lumbar spine disability, as well as left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, were denied. The effective dates for these conditions are also denied.
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