The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for postoperative residuals of lumbar strain with lateral recess stenosis L5-S1 was denied as the evidence did not show unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine or unfavorable ankylosis of the entire spine.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent prior to June 6, 2016, and in excess of 40 percent thereafter, for left lower extremity radiculopathy was denied as there were no incapacitating episodes over the past 12 months.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's low back disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to lack of unfavorable ankylosis and absence of incapacitating episodes.,The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy was rated based on incomplete paralysis, with no evidence of severe or complete paralysis.
- Claimed conditions
- Postoperative residuals of lumbar strain with lateral recess stenosis L5-S1, Left lower extremity radiculopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- July 23, 2019
- Citation
- 19156881
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 19156881.
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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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