The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability is denied, but he is granted a separate 20 percent rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy effective from June 28, 2018.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show the presence of unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes that would warrant higher ratings. However, there was sufficient evidence to support a separate 20 percent rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy as of June 28, 2018.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar spine strain with degenerative disc and joint disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- March 17, 2021
- Citation
- 21015484
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 21015484.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Partly granted
The Board granted separate 20 percent ratings for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy from April 11, 2011, and TDIU from November 24, 2011, while dismissing claims for increased ratings for lumbar spine strain with degenerative disc and joint disease and right lower extremity radiculopathy.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and providing a VA Form 21-8940 to determine if the appellant is entitled to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar myositis, psychoneurosis and conversion hysteria, residuals of shrapnel wounds of the left thigh and pelvis with retained foreign bodies and scars, and residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right thigh and left leg. The veteran was also denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected coronary artery disease, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of his condition.
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