The Board has restored the 10% ratings for intervertebral disc syndrome of the left and right lower extremities, effective April 1, 2014.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not clearly reflect a material improvement in the Veteran's service-connected intervertebral disc syndrome of the left and right lower extremities resulting in an improvement in her ability to function under ordinary conditions of life and work.
- Claimed conditions
- intervertebral disc syndrome of the left lower extremity, intervertebral disc syndrome of the right lower extremity
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- October 13, 2020
- Citation
- 20066038
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,810 · Granted: 23% (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 20066038.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the issues of reducing disability ratings for service-connected intervertebral disc syndrome, upper extremity radiculopathy, and cervical spine with intervertebral disc syndrome. The issue of service connection for PTSD is also being remanded.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as she requested a withdrawal of her appeal.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for higher initial ratings for intervertebral disc syndrome of the left and right lower extremities have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease with intervertebral disc syndrome and right lower extremity intervertebral disc syndrome are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.
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.