The Veteran's herniated nucleus pulposus resulted in forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine to 30 degrees or less, without unfavorable ankylosis. The VA examiner found no additional factors limiting range of motion and noted some pain during movement.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's disability met the criteria for a 40 percent rating under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine due to forward flexion limited to 30 degrees or less, without unfavorable ankylosis.
- Claimed conditions
- Herniated nucleus pulposus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- March 15, 2018
- Citation
- 1816158
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 1816158.
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 obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment, thus granting a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for SMC based on being housebound is denied, while his claim for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person is granted. The decision also notes that the Veteran requires assistance from his wife and son to perform daily living activities due to his service-connected disabilities.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) prior to January 17, 2018, finding that his service-connected conditions did not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information provided by VA examiners regarding the Veteran's back disability, right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and femoral radiculopathy. The examiners did not address whether pain significantly limited functional ability with flare-ups or if symptoms resulted in ankylosis.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.