The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability and right lower extremity radiculopathy have been restored to their previous ratings of 40 percent and 20 percent, respectively, effective March 1, 2018.
The deciding factor: The reduction in the Veteran’s disability ratings was improper due to a lack of review of his entire medical history.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar spine strain with intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), rheumatism of right lower extremity radiculopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- January 7, 2020
- Citation
- 20001110
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.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a 40 percent disability rating for lumbar spine strain with IVDS from May 13, 2011, to April 19, 2012, and denied a higher rating. The Board also granted a 30 percent disability rating for cervical spondylosis with IVDS from December 13, 2019, to December 23, 2024, but denied a higher rating.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, effective from the date of the February 2025 rating decision.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a medical examination to determine if the Veteran's current neck strain is related to his in-service activities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD due to an inadequate medical opinion.
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