The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for degenerative disc disease at L4-L5 with lumbar stenosis was granted, and the matter of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to August 24, 2016, is remanded.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability resulted in forward flexion limited to 30 degrees or less, which met the criteria for a 40 percent rating under DC 5243. The matter of entitlement to a higher rating was denied as there were no additional factors that would warrant an even higher rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease at L4-L5 with lumbar stenosis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- May 20, 2021
- Citation
- 21030976
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 21030976.
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
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