The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection of a kidney infection is granted. The initial rating for lumbar spine disability remains at 20 percent, and the ratings for right and left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathies are also maintained.
The deciding factor: New evidence submitted since the last final denial shows potential indicators of chronic kidney disease and mild to moderate sciatica in both legs. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, which is appropriate given his range of motion limitations and symptoms.
- Claimed conditions
- kidney infection, lumbar spine intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), strain, degenerative joint disease, L1 anterior compression deformity
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- March 10, 2023
- Citation
- 23014608
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 23014608.
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.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 40 percent for his lumbar spine disability has been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating, as there was no unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes of IVDS.
- Denied
The Board denied an increased rating for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, finding that there was no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis and thus not warranting a higher rating.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for an extension of a temporary total evaluation based on the need for convalescence due to his service-connected left great toe hallux valgus and degenerative joint disease has been dismissed because this issue was already decided by the Board in January 2026.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for a temporary total rating based on hospitalization or convalescence due to his service-connected cervical spine disability is remanded as the record does not include post-surgical follow-up treatment records from the University of Virginia Hospital.
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