The Board has granted initial ratings of 20 percent for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities, effective from June 24, 2014.
The deciding factor: VA examination in February 2016 showed mostly moderate neurological manifestations as reported by the examiner, warranting a higher rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) of the Lumbar Spine with Facet Syndrome, Radiculopathy of the Right Lower Extremity (RLE), Radiculopathy of the Left Lower Extremity (LLE)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- December 5, 2016
- Citation
- 1645506
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 1645506.
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.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, a back disability, and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity (LLE), but denied service connection for sinusitis and cataracts.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity and a separate 20 percent rating for left knee instability, while denying increased ratings for both knees.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination of his lumbar conditions, including radiculopathy. The TDIU claim prior to May 26, 2021, remains on hold as it is inextricably intertwined with the increased rating claims.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for right knee disability and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity (LLE) was denied. The right knee disability is rated at 60 percent, effective December 30, 2022.
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