The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his back disability is denied. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence does not support a rating in excess of 20 percent for his lumbar spine disability. Additionally, compensable evaluations are granted for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy effective December 8, 2015.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's lumbar spine disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating as forward flexion was limited to 40 degrees and extension to 15 degrees with pain noted on examination. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence did not support an increased rating, thus denying the claim.
- Claimed conditions
- Chronic low back pain with degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine at L5-S1, Bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral and sciatic nerves)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- May 27, 2021
- Citation
- 21032589
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 21032589.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied entitlement to increased ratings for the lumbar spine condition and a TDIU, but granted entitlement to a total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) 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.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected musculoligamentous strain, right knee, is currently rated at 10 percent and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.
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