The Veteran's effective date for a 40 percent disability rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) is set to January 7, 2016. The effective date for left lower extremity neuropathy was also set to this date.,An earlier effective date for left lower extremity radiculopathy is not granted.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran's symptoms of lumbar spine disability and left leg neuropathy worsened significantly on January 7, 2016, which was when he first reported severe pain preventing him from walking or standing for long periods.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), Left lower extremity neuropathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- October 5, 2023
- Citation
- A23027706
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 A23027706.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's service connection claim for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with intervertebral disc syndrome is granted based on a finding of continuity of lumbar spine pain symptoms since service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right and left lower extremity neuropathy require additional development due to missing medical evidence, specifically an EMG from June 2023. The VA examinations also did not consider the ameliorative effects of medication on the severity of the disability.
- Granted
The Veteran's service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD) and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), both due to herbicide exposure, is granted.,Service connection for GERD secondary to PTSD is also granted. The Veteran has left lower extremity neuropathy but no current diagnosis of left upper or right lower extremity neuropathy.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and neuropathy of the extremities due to in-service exposure to herbicide agents. The claims for a sinus disorder and facial skin disorder were remanded.
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