The Veteran's service-connected neurologic impairments of the lower extremities do not meet or nearly approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent and 20 percent, respectively.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not show that the Veteran's service-connected neurologic impairments are manifested by complete paralysis as required for higher ratings under Diagnostic Code 8520.
- Claimed conditions
- Neurologic impairment of the right lower extremity, Neurologic impairment of the left lower extremity
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 30, 2016
- Citation
- 1645020
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1645020.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's degenerative disc disease/degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine is rated at 40 percent from November 25, 2008 to January 12, 2010. His neurologic impairment of the left lower extremity associated with the lumbar spine disability is also rated at 20 percent during this period.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing the Veteran with a VA examination to evaluate her neurologic impairment of the lower extremities. The issues of rating ratings for these conditions are being remanded.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected lumbar spine disability, effective November 25, 2008, was granted. The Veteran is now rated at 20 percent for this condition.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Veteran's DDD of the lumbosacral spine was granted a 40 percent rating effective April 1, 2005.,A separate 10 percent rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy was granted effective October 5, 2011.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.