The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease and arthritis, thoracolumbar spine was granted effective March 23, 2012.,An initial disability rating of 20 percent for the service-connected degenerative disc disease and arthritis, thoracolumbar spine was granted effective October 15, 2019.,The Veteran's service-connected radiculopathy, right lower extremity was granted effective March 23, 2012.,An initial disability rating of 10 percent for the service-connected radiculopathy, left lower extremity was granted effective October 15, 2019.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's degenerative disc disease and arthritis, thoracolumbar spine first manifested prior to March 23, 2012.,The Veteran's radiculopathy, right lower extremity was granted effective March 23, 2012.,The Veteran's radiculopathy, left lower extremity was granted effective October 15, 2019.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease and arthritis, thoracolumbar spine, Radiculopathy, right lower extremity, Radiculopathy, left lower extremity
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 19, 2023
- Citation
- 23051643
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 23051643.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, and the appeal for an increased rating is denied. The Veteran's degenerative osteoarthritis and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, radiculopathy, right lower extremity, diabetic nephropathy chronic kidney disease, right great toe bunion and gout, and TDIU are all granted.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's service connected thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease, cervical spine degenerative disc disease, radiculopathy of the right upper and lower extremities, and radiculopathy of the left upper and lower extremities are all remanded for further development.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for an increased initial rating for a low back disability and radiculopathy, right and left lower extremities due to a need for additional evidence.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection for SLAP tear, right upper extremity and denied service connection for radiculopathy, left lower extremity. Service connection was granted for radiculopathy, right lower extremity effective September 13, 2021.
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