The Veteran was granted a 40 percent rating for his lumbar spine disability, as well as additional ratings for his bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy and lumbar fusion surgical scars.

The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability warranted a higher rating based on the severity of his symptoms and functional impairment.

Claimed conditions

lumbar spine disability, lumbar degenerative disc disease (DDD), lumbar strain, right lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy, left lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy, lumbar spine fusion surgical scars

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

40%

Decision date

February 3, 2025

Citation

25001534

Want to see how appeals like this one tend to go? Appeals like mine