The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative changes are rated at 40 percent since May 9, 2019. The right lower extremity radiculopathy is rated at 20 percent as of June 1, 2022.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence did not show ankylosis or unfavorable ankylosis of the spine, and the Veteran's back condition was found to have forward flexion of less than 30 degrees. The right lower extremity radiculopathy was found to be moderate in severity.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar spine degenerative changes, right lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic and femoral nerves)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- October 25, 2022
- Citation
- 22059730
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 22059730.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine degenerative changes, left shoulder degenerative changes, lumbar spine degenerative changes, and right shoulder osteoarthritis due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The Veteran was not afforded VA examinations for these conditions.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for an increased rating higher than 40 percent for a back disability, as the evidence did not support a finding that his symptomatology more nearly approximated unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine or incapacitating episodes requiring physician-prescribed bed rest.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for lumbar spine degenerative changes as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, but denied service connection for a right shoulder disorder.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for TDIU is remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records, particularly those from Community Care providers and non-VA providers received by the VA but not associated with the claims file.
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