The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and radiculopathies are currently rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available for these conditions. The claims for higher ratings have been denied.
The deciding factor: The Veteran’s degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine results in forward flexion of more than 60 degrees and combined motion greater than 120 degrees, meeting the criteria for a 20 percent rating under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine. The radiculopathies are manifested by mild incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve on each side, which does not meet or approximate the criteria for higher ratings.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, Left S-1 radiculopathy (sciatic nerve involvement), Right S-1 radiculopathy (sciatic nerve involvement)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- July 22, 2014
- Citation
- 1432814
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 1432814.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his lumbar spine and right hip disabilities due to a duty to assist error. The effective date for DEA benefits is granted as May 1, 2014.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date and higher initial rating for his back disability is denied. The effective date remains March 29, 2021, as the earliest date of claim. An initial rating in excess of 20 percent for the back disability from March 29, 2021, is also denied.
- Granted
The Veteran's low back disability and right leg radiculopathy are granted service connection, but left leg radiculopathy is denied.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU, finding that his service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.
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