The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 40 percent for left lower extremity sciatic neuropathy since May 29, 2012 was denied as there is no evidence of severe incomplete paralysis with marked muscular atrophy or complete paralysis.
The deciding factor: The VA examination report did not find any evidence of muscle atrophy and classified the Veteran's condition as moderately severe incomplete paralysis, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under DC 8520.
- Claimed conditions
- left lower extremity sciatic neuropathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- April 16, 2015
- Citation
- 1516502
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 1516502.
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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew the appeal for service connection of right and left lower extremity sciatic neuropathy.
- Dismissed
The appeal was dismissed as the Veteran did not timely file a Board Appeal request with respect to the rating decisions issued on April 17, 2023, and May 18, 2023.
- Denied
The appeal for service connection of left and right lower extremity sciatic neuropathy was denied because new and relevant evidence was not received.
- Partly granted
The veteran's appeal for increased disability ratings was partially granted. The veteran received a higher rating for coronary artery disease and both sciatic neuropathies, but the appeal for higher ratings for femoral neuropathies was denied.
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