The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his lumbosacral spine disorder is denied, as the evidence does not support a rating in excess of 20 percent. A separate evaluation of 10 percent for right sciatic radiculopathy prior to May 6, 2005 is also denied.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's lumbar spine disability has been evaluated at 20 percent since the initial grant of service connection in September 2005. The evidence does not support a higher evaluation as there is no objective evidence of ankylosis, incapacitating episodes, or other factors warranting a higher rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Chronic strain of the lumbosacral spine, Right sciatic radiculopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- August 31, 2009
- Citation
- 0932737
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 0932737.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
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: Granted
The Veteran's right and left sciatic radiculopathy were granted effective from March 17, 2015.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate examination reports and failure to address possible evidence of left knee instability.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board granted an effective date of March 27, 2020, for the grant of service connection for IVDS with spondylosis and denied earlier effective dates for left and right sciatic radiculopathy. The Board also denied increased ratings for IVDS with spondylosis and sciatic radiculopathies and granted a TDIU from June 1, 2020.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board denied service connection for liver and kidney disabilities but granted a 70 percent rating for an acquired psychiatric disorder prior to February 3, 2017, a 50 percent rating for a back disability, and a 20 percent rating for left sciatic radiculopathy from July 22, 2008.
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