The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent, effective from the date of the decision. The Veteran also received a 10 percent rating for each of his right and left lower extremity radiculopathy conditions prior to January 15, 2015, and a 20 percent rating thereafter.
The deciding factor: The evidence supported that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability more nearly approximated forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 60 degrees, which is consistent with the current 20% rating assigned under DC 5242.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Disc Disease of the Lumbar Spine, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) with depression symptoms and alcohol use disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 25, 2019
- Citation
- 19174846
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 19174846.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and Degenerative Disc Disease of the Lumbar Spine due to a duty to assist error. The AOJ is instructed to obtain relevant medical records, including SSA disability records and Federal prison medical records, and request an addendum opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's back disorder.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran is granted a TDIU due to his service-connected PTSD with major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, as well as his lumbar spine disorder. The Board found the evidence in balance regarding whether these conditions render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service-connected, and the Board finds that his back disability may be related to service. The case is remanded for a VA examination.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to his ability to independently ambulate without aids.
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