The veteran meets the criteria for a 60 percent disability rating for her lower back disorder, which includes intervertebral disc syndrome.
The deciding factor: The veteran's symptoms of pronounced intervertebral disc syndrome with sciatic neuropathy and absent ankle reflexes warranted a 60 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 5293.
- Claimed conditions
- Chronic lumbosacral strain superimposed on degenerative joint disease of the sacroiliac joint, Sciatic neuropathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 1, 2002
- Citation
- 0202947
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0202947.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied higher ratings for sciatic neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities, finding that the evidence did not support ratings in excess of 20 percent due to moderate incomplete paralysis.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him so helpless as to need regular aid and attendance or be permanently housebound, thus SMC for aid and attendance is denied prior to June 1, 2012.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's sciatic neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities has been manifested by symptoms mild in nature, warranting a 10 percent disability rating.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's increased rating claim for post-operative residuals of L4-L5 and L5-S1 disk herniation was granted, with a 10 percent disability rating. The claims for sciatic/common peroneal neuropathy were also granted, with ratings of 20 percent for the right lower extremity and 40 percent for the left lower extremity.
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