The Veteran's disability rating for circumferential disc bulge L4-5 with central canal stenosis and chronic low back pain, status post L5-S1 laminectomy was increased to 50 percent, effective May 7, 2011. The Board also granted TDIU and special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's symptoms during a flare-up are equivalent to unfavorable ankylosis of the thoracolumbar spine, which supports a higher rating.
- Claimed conditions
- circumferential disc bulge L4-5 with central canal stenosis and chronic low back pain, status post L5-S1 laminectomy, obstructive sleep apnea (secondary to the service-connected circumferential disc bulge L4-5 with central canal stenosis and chronic low back pain), acquired psychiatric disorder (secondary to the service-connected circumferential disc bulge L4-5 with central canal stenosis and chronic low back pain)
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- March 4, 2025
- Citation
- 25003117
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 3,038 · Granted: 30% (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 25003117.
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 determined that the Veteran's headaches are at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected traumatic brain injury, and thus grants service connection for this condition.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.
- Granted
The Veteran's major depressive disorder is found to be caused by his service-connected low back and radiculopathy disabilities, which prevent him from doing enjoyable activities and daily living tasks.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active service or any related exposure.
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