The Board has granted a 40 percent rating from September 28, 2019 for the Veteran's service-connected intervertebral disc syndrome with disc herniation L3-S1, status post discectomy L3-4 and L4-5. The other conditions have been rated based on their direct service connection.
The deciding factor: The April 2019 VA examination did not account for the Veteran's flare-ups resulting in limited range of motion during those episodes.
- Claimed conditions
- Cervical Spine Strain, Intervertebral Disc Syndrome (IVDS) with disc herniation L3-S1, status post discectomy L3-4 and L4-5, Radiculopathy of the left lower extremity affecting the sciatic nerve, Radiculopathy of the right lower extremity affecting the sciatic nerve, Radiculopathy of the left lower extremity affecting the femoral nerve, Radiculopathy of the right lower extremity affecting the femoral nerve, Left Shoulder Subacromial/Subdeltoid Bursitis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- January 27, 2026
- Citation
- A26007228
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 A26007228.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the decision on appeal is legally inadequate due to insufficient notification and an inadequately supported medical opinion. The case is being remanded for further action.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's service-connected cervical spine, bilateral shoulder, and right ankle disabilities are remanded for further evaluation. The Veteran also has claims for increased ratings for tension headaches and sinusitis, which are also remanded.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable evaluation for service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been denied. The appeal for service connection of a cervical spine disorder is remanded due to the need for a VA medical opinion.
- Denied
The Board denied initial evaluations in excess of 20 percent for radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities affecting the sciatic nerve, as there was no evidence to support a finding of complete paralysis or severe incomplete paralysis with marked muscle atrophy.
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