The Veteran's low back disability, right lower extremity myelopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy have been granted increased ratings. The 40 percent rating for the low back disability has been restored from April 1, 2015 to July 18, 2016.
The deciding factor: The evidence showed that the Veteran's symptoms did not meet criteria for a higher rating based on unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes of IVDS. The right lower extremity myelopathy and left lower extremity radiculopathy were rated according to their respective Diagnostic Codes, with effective dates assigned based on when objective neurological abnormalities first manifested.
- Claimed conditions
- spondylolisthesis, multilevel degenerative disc disease, herniated nucleus pulposus L5-S1
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- October 7, 2019
- Citation
- 19177112
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,934 · Granted: 41% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 19177112.
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 service connection for a back disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that the evidence supports a link between these conditions and the Veteran's active duty service.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected conditions did not cause or contribute to his death due to a vehicular accident, which was primarily caused by the driver's negligence and poor visibility conditions.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claim for a lumbar spine disability should be remanded due to a duty to assist error.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error and the need for additional medical evidence. The Veteran's lower back disability, including lumbar strain and spondylolisthesis, is being reviewed again.
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.