The Board finds that the veteran's service-connected herniated nucleus pulposus and bilateral radiculopathy do not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence does not show incapacitating episodes, ankylosis, or severe manifestations of the veteran's radiculopathy and left side cutaneous neuropathy that would justify a higher evaluation under the applicable VA rating criteria.
- Claimed conditions
- herniated nucleus pulposus, bilateral radiculopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- November 5, 2007
- Citation
- 0734815
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 0734815.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's need for the regular aid and attendance of another person was determined due to his service-connected disabilities, leading to a grant of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance for accrued benefits purposes.
- Denied
The Board denied the claim for TDIU prior to October 18, 2018 due to a lack of evidence showing that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a 30 percent rating for the Veteran's stress fracture, mid-distal femur, right leg with limited flexion and restored the 30 percent rating for the Veteran's stress fracture, mid-distal femur, right leg with limitation of abduction and rotation. The other claims were denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remanded the case for further development to obtain a retrospective medical opinion addressing functional loss during flareups and with repeated use over time prior to June 2021, as the previous opinions did not provide sufficient information regarding the Veteran's functional loss.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.