The Veteran's low back disability was rated at 10 percent from August 20, 2010 to September 5, 2011 and at 40 percent since September 6, 2011. His left lower extremity radiculopathy was rated at 20 percent since July 8, 2013.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's low back disability manifested as pain, tenderness to palpation, muscle spasms, and limitation of forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine. His left lower extremity radiculopathy was diagnosed with an incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve that was moderate for the entire period on appeal.
- Claimed conditions
- Low Back Disability (Degenerative Joint Disease), Left Lower Extremity Radiculopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- August 17, 2016
- Citation
- 1632731
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 1632731.
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 Veteran's claims for higher ratings for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy are being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition, without considering the ameliorative effects of any medication he uses.
- Granted
The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy has been granted a 30 percent disability rating since November 29, 2021.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is likely due to his service-connected lumbar spine and radiculopathy conditions, with tramadol use possibly causing the condition by October 25, 2012. The effective date for ED will be remanded.,Due to the inextricably intertwined nature of the issues, including the need to determine if tramadol caused ED prior to August 30, 2013, the SMC issue is also remanded.
- Granted
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