The reduction in the disability rating for service-connected lumbar strain with degenerative arthritis of the thoracic spine with IVDS at L3 and L4 from 20 percent to 10 percent, effective June 12, 2018, was improper; restoration of the Veteran's 20 percent disability rating is granted.
The deciding factor: The reduction in the evaluation for the Veteran's service- connected lumbar strain with degenerative arthritis of the thoracic spine with IVDS at L3 and L4 from 20 percent to 10 percent, effective June 12, 2018, was based on an inadequate VA examination that did not consider all relevant evidence.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar strain, degenerative arthritis of the thoracic spine, IVDS (intervertebral disc syndrome) at L3 and L4
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- September 27, 2023
- Citation
- 23053922
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 23053922.
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 Board has granted service connection for a back disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that the evidence supports a link between these conditions and the Veteran's active duty service.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for service connection for right hand arthritis and left hand arthritis have been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeals for a higher rating for lumbar strain, radiculopathy of the left sciatic nerve, and radiculopathy of the right sciatic nerve have been remanded.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has granted service connection for lumbar strain and lumbar intervertebral disc syndrome with left sciatica. The right lower extremity sciatica claim is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disability, diagnosed as lumbar strain, spinal stenosis and degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the lumbar spine, is causally related to service. As such, service connection for this condition is granted.
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