The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability, intervertebral disc syndrome, and spinal stenosis are currently rated at 40 percent. The appeal is denied as the criteria for a higher rating have not been met.,The Veteran's service-connected left lower extremity radiculopathy and right lower extremity radiculopathy are both currently rated at 40 percent. The appeals are denied as the criteria for a higher rating have not been met.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not show that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, intervertebral disc syndrome, or spinal stenosis warrants an evaluation in excess of 40 percent under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine. The Veteran has limitation of motion without unfavorable ankylosis.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, Intervertebral disc syndrome, Spinal stenosis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- October 18, 2024
- Citation
- A24067002
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,592 · Granted: 19% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 A24067002.
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date and higher initial rating for his back disability is denied. The effective date remains March 29, 2021, as the earliest date of claim. An initial rating in excess of 20 percent for the back disability from March 29, 2021, is also denied.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for intervertebral disc syndrome of the thoracolumbar spine was denied as his disability did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran seeks higher initial ratings for his back disability, but the VA examinations from the period under review are inadequate. The Board finds that remand is necessary to obtain an opinion as to the severity and manifestations of the Veteran's back disability during the period under review.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, finding that there was no evidence of chronicity or continuity of symptomatology since service and concluding that his current disabilities are more likely related to an in-service injury than to his military service.
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