The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected chronic lumbar sprain with spondylosis and degenerative disk disease was granted, but the Board found no basis to grant a higher rating. A separate 10 percent initial rating was assigned for left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve associated with the service-connected lumbar spine disability.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's lumbar spine disability resulted in mild left sciatic nerve impairment manifested by pain, warranting a 10% rating under Diagnostic Code 8520. The Board found no basis to grant a higher rating based on his lumbar spine disability alone or for the associated radiculopathy.
- Claimed conditions
- Chronic Lumbar Sprain with Spondylosis and Degenerative Disk Disease, Left Lower Extremity Radiculopathy (Sciatic Nerve)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- October 21, 2014
- Citation
- 1446581
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 1446581.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 40 percent, and his left and right lower extremity radiculopathy are each rated at 40 percent. The issues of increased ratings for these conditions have been granted.
- Granted
The Veteran's left and right lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve) have been granted increased disability ratings of 20 percent, effective April 22, 2024.,The Veteran's left and right lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve) have been granted increased disability ratings of 20 percent, effective April 22, 2024.
- Granted
The Veteran's initial ratings for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and radiculopathies of both lower extremities have been granted, with effective dates from December 3, 2020, to October 7, 2024.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) secondary to the Veteran's service-connected sleep myoclonus, but denied increased ratings and earlier effective dates for other conditions.
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