The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, and coccygeal fracture residuals were denied. The rating for the lumbar spine condition remains at 10 percent.
The deciding factor: The VA examination findings did not meet the criteria for a higher 20 percent rating under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine due to lack of abnormal gait or spinal contour, and no incapacitating episodes were identified. The Veteran's radiculopathy was rated as mild.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, coccygeal fracture
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- November 26, 2019
- Citation
- 19189047
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,341 · Granted: 33% (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 19189047.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, as there are insufficient medical opinions and records. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further development.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals were dismissed due to the death of the appellant. The issues related to service connection for various conditions and disability ratings.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy and denied the claims for right knee disability, erectile dysfunction, GERD, sleep apnea, and hypertension. The decision is remanded for further action on these issues.
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