The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for his lumbar spine disability was granted with an effective date of May 30, 2024.,The appeals for the awards of service connection for right and left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy were dismissed as they have already been granted in full.
The deciding factor: The Veteran filed a claim for an increased rating on May 30, 2024, which was timely followed by the filing of a complete claim within one year. The effective date is set at May 30, 2024, as it is the earliest date that the disability rose to the level warranting the increased evaluation.,The appeals for service connection were dismissed because they have already been granted in full with an effective date of May 30, 2024.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease and stenosis status post laminectomy L1-2, L2-3, L3-4 with left discectomy L2-3, lumbosacral spine, Right lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy, sciatic nerve, Left lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy, sciatic nerve
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- February 9, 2026
- Citation
- A26011647
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 A26011647.
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 Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the spine with IVDS is currently rated at 40 percent, but the Board finds that this rating does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation due to lack of ankylosis or functional equivalent thereof.,The Veteran's left and right lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy are both currently rated at 10 percent. The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to determine if these ratings should be increased.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar myositis, psychoneurosis and conversion hysteria, residuals of shrapnel wounds of the left thigh and pelvis with retained foreign bodies and scars, and residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right thigh and left leg. The veteran was also denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected coronary artery disease, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of his condition.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected musculoligamentous strain, right knee, is currently rated at 10 percent and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.
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