The veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease at L4-L5 and L5-S1 is currently rated as 60 percent disabling. A separate 10 percent rating for left lower extremity sciatica has been granted effective September 23, 2002. The Board denied the claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.
The deciding factor: The veteran's degenerative disc disease does not meet criteria for a higher evaluation as there is no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis or moderate incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease at L4-L5 and L5-S1, Left lower extremity sciatica
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 60%
- Decision date
- May 24, 2007
- Citation
- 0715586
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 0715586.
What this means for you
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection for degenerative arthritis with lumbosacral strain, left lower extremity sciatica, and right lower extremity sciatica have been dismissed.,The Veteran's TDIU claim has been granted from September 16, 2011.,The Veteran's SMC based on housebound criteria has been granted effective from March 13, 2024.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and left lower extremity sciatica, finding that there is a nexus between these conditions and in-service injuries. The Veteran's current disabilities are considered to be due to his military service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for various conditions to correct a pre-decisional duty to assist error, including verifying in-service stressors and scheduling examinations.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for increased ratings and service connection, as well as remanded several new claims.
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