The Veteran's low back syndrome, status post laminectomy L4-L5, resulted in moderate, incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve for each lower extremity from October 13, 2004 to March 7, 2006. The Board granted a separate 20 percent evaluation for this period.
The deciding factor: The Veteran experienced incapacitating episodes resulting in moderate, incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve for both lower extremities during the specified time frame.
- Claimed conditions
- Low back syndrome
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- July 27, 2011
- Citation
- 1128067
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 1128067.
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 Board has remanded the case for further development, including a retrospective VA examination to evaluate the Veteran's current disability levels and functional loss from 1979 to present. The issues include increased ratings for low back syndrome, postoperative reconstruction of the left knee, chondromalacia of the right knee, and limitation of extension of the right knee.
- Granted
The Veteran's low back syndrome is currently rated at 10 percent prior to April 10, 2017 and granted a 40 percent rating from that date.,Separate ratings of 10 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy are granted prior to April 10, 2017 and thereafter; and a separate 10 percent evaluation is granted for left lower extremity radiculopathy.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's low back disability, including any degenerative arthritis. The examiner is asked to address whether there is radiculopathy related to the lumbar spine disability and determine if it is due to a cervical spine disorder instead. Additionally, the examiner should evaluate whether the service-connected low back syndrome caused or aggravated any other lumbar spine disorders (other than low back syndrome).
- Denied
The Board denied an earlier effective date for the award of a 10 percent rating for low back syndrome, as the Veteran's claim was filed within one year of his discharge from active duty.
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