The Veteran's appeal is granted, with a 10 percent rating for lumbosacral strain with degenerative changes effective June 2, 2010. Service connection for left lower extremity sciatica, claimed as disability of the left hip, left leg, and left foot, to include as due to service-connected low back disability is granted.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's symptoms are primarily related to his service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative changes. The VA examiner found no evidence of intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) or peripheral neuropathy that would justify separate ratings for these conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- Left Lower Extremity Sciatica, Left Tibial Stress Reaction (Shin Splints)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- July 10, 2017
- Citation
- 1726161
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 1726161.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including heart disorder, GERD, liver disorder, and peripheral neuropathy. The decision also noted that the Veteran's sciatica was not incurred in service.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for asthma under the PACT Act but denied service connection for GERD, right lower extremity sciatica, left lower extremity sciatica, and bilateral hearing loss.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).
- Partly granted
The Veteran's initial rating for left lower extremity sciatica was granted at a 20% from July 8, 2015 to February 2, 2017. The rating was then reduced to 40%. From February 2, 2017 onward, the Veteran is denied an initial rating in excess of 20%.
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