The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder is granted a 40 percent disability rating, effective prior to August 23, 2017. From that date, the Veteran's condition is rated at 40 percent. The Veteran also receives increased ratings for his sciatic and femoral radiculopathies.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations consistently showed significant limitation of motion in the lumbar spine, with forward flexion limited to 10 degrees or less, which meets the criteria for a 40 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 5243. The Veteran's symptoms and functional impairment were also consistent with this level of disability.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc and joint disease status postoperative laminectomy and discectomy L4-L5 with lumbar spinal stenosis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- April 4, 2023
- Citation
- 23020590
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 23020590.
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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