The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was evaluated as 20 percent disabling prior to March 26, 2013 and from June 1, 2013. The claim for a higher rating is denied.,For the period of November 16, 2009 until March 26, 2013, the Veteran's lumbar radiculopathy was evaluated as 10 percent disabling. The claim for a higher rating is denied.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not show that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability more nearly approximates the level of severity contemplated by a 40 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 5238, and there are no incapacitating episodes up to four weeks.,For the period from June 1, 2013 onwards, the evidence does not show that the Veteran's lumbar radiculopathy more nearly approximates the level of severity contemplated by a 40 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 8520.
- Claimed conditions
- Lumbar Spinal Stenosis, Left Lumbar Radiculopathy, Right Lumbar Radiculopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 9, 2018
- Citation
- 1815017
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 1815017.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD contributed substantially or materially to his principal cause of death, cardiopulmonary arrest. As such, the claim for service connection for cause of death is granted.
- Partly granted
The Board denied a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD and remanded the claim for service connection for lumbar spinal stenosis.
- Granted
The Veteran's asthma and right lumbar radiculopathy ratings were reduced, but the reductions were not proper. The 30% rating for asthma and the 20% rating for right lumbar radiculopathy have been reinstated.,The issue of service connection for neck strain with degenerative changes was dismissed as moot.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and denied a rating higher than 20 percent for left lumbar radiculopathy. The Veteran's claim for a rating higher than 20 percent for his left shoulder disability is remanded.
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