The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine and associated neurological impairment of the right and left lower extremities prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment due to his physical limitations.
The deciding factor: Multiple examiners have opined that the Veteran’s back disabilities impact or preclude work consistent with his educational and occupational background.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease of lumbosacral spine, Neurological impairment of left lower extremity, Neurological impairment of right lower extremity
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- April 27, 2020
- Citation
- 20029075
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 20029075.
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 granted service connection for low back disability, finding that the Veteran's low back disability had its onset during active duty and has continued since then.
- Denied
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The rating for cervical strain was denied prior to January 18, 2021 and since that date. The rating for degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine was denied prior to January 18, 2021.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims of increased rating for degenerative disc disease of lumbosacral spine and TDIU prior to July 17, 2017 due to insufficient examination reports. The Veteran needs an adequate VA examination to determine the severity of his service-connected low back disorder.
- Granted
The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent, effective July 9, 2013. His bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy is currently rated at 10 percent.
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.