The Veteran's spinal stenosis disability is granted an initial rating of 20 percent. The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity remains at a 10 percent rating.
The deciding factor: The evidence showed pain on lumbar spine flexion before 60 degrees, but no limitation of flexion or incapacitating episodes, warranting a 20% rating for spinal stenosis. The peripheral neuropathy was found to be mild in degree and did not meet the criteria for higher ratings.
- Claimed conditions
- Spinal stenosis, Peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- October 28, 2019
- Citation
- 19181605
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 is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) at the R(1) rate due to his need for regular aid and attendance.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities to obtain a VA medical opinion regarding whether the current condition is caused or aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities, finding that his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of both upper and lower extremities, to include as due to herbicide agent exposure, for compliance with a Court order regarding the provision of an examiner's curriculum vitae.
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