The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity were granted initial ratings. The rating for the left lower extremity was denied, with a separate grant of a temporary increased rating prior to September 17, 2020.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability met the criteria for a 20% rating from April 10, 2023 onwards. The radiculopathy of the right lower extremity was granted initial ratings prior to September 17, 2020 and denied thereafter.
- Claimed conditions
- Thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease with degenerative arthritis, Radiculopathy of right lower extremity, Radiculopathy of left lower extremity
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- February 23, 2024
- Citation
- 24008973
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 24008973.
What this means for you
A partial grant means some issues were granted while others were denied or remanded — common in multi-issue claims. Look at which issues went which way, and how each was argued.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Veteran's radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities were granted service connection effective October 25, 2018.,PTSD was also granted service connection effective July 10, 2007. The Veteran requested an earlier effective date for PTSD, but this was denied.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him so helpless as to need regular aid and attendance of another person, resulting in the grant of SMC at the A&A rate. The question of entitlement to SMC on account of being housebound is moot due to the grant of SMC based on A&A.
- Denied
The Board denied entitlement to initial ratings in excess of 20 percent for radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities, finding that the Veteran's symptoms were primarily manifested by intermittent pain and moderate incomplete paralysis.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a disability rating of 20 percent for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities, but denied ratings in excess of 20 percent.
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