The Veteran's back disability is rated at 20% for the entire appeal period, beginning August 31, 2016.,Prior to November 1, 2021, the Veteran was denied an initial rating in excess of 10% for his right lower extremity radiculopathy. Beginning November 1, 2021, he is granted a 20% disability rating for this condition.,Prior to November 1, 2021, the Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy was also denied an initial rating in excess of 10%. Beginning November 1, 2021, he is granted a 20% disability rating for this condition.,The Veteran has been granted TDIU beginning August 31, 2016.
The deciding factor: The VA examination results supported the need for a higher rating based on the Veteran's functional limitations and pain during testing. The examiner noted that the Veteran had limited range of motion but did not have ankylosis or other conditions that would warrant a higher rating.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation beginning August 31, 2016.
- Claimed conditions
- Back Disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- March 21, 2022
- Citation
- 22016141
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 22016141.
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 determined that the VA rating decision denying service connection for a right knee disability and a back disability is not supported by adequate medical opinions, and thus remands the case for further development.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection of a left knee disability, back disability, and left elbow disability must be remanded due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran provided lay reports of symptoms but the VA examiners did not consider these reports in their conclusions.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for right eye, left eye, left knee, and back disabilities due to conflicting statements from the Veteran and inconsistencies in his medical records.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a back disability, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease and that the current condition is not related to service.
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