The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his back disability was granted, and he is now receiving a 20% rating effective June 4, 2014. Separate ratings of 10% each were also granted for left and right lumbar radiculopathy.
The deciding factor: The VA examination results showed that the Veteran's back disability did not meet the criteria for an increased rating beyond 10%, but he was granted a higher initial rating due to his separate diagnoses of lumbar radiculopathy.
- Claimed conditions
- Thoracic and lumbar disc herniation, Left lumbar radiculopathy, Right lumbar radiculopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- October 24, 2019
- Citation
- 19180811
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,240 · Granted: 28% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed 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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 19180811.
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: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities combine to preclude substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a TDIU.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted a higher initial rating of 20 percent for right lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy, finding moderate severity symptoms throughout the appeal period.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for further development and to correct duty-to-assist errors related to the Veteran's back condition, left leg pain, hypertension, tinnitus, knee strain, and sleep apnea.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for a neck disability and a back disability, but denied service connection for BPPV. The right lumbar radiculopathy was also granted as secondary to the back disability.
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