The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a compensable initial rating prior to April 15, 2015, for radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities and a rating in excess of 20 percent for discogenic degenerative changes, lumbosacral spine with intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS).
The deciding factor: The Veteran's back disability was evaluated as 20 percent disabling under Diagnostic Code 5243, which considers IVDS. The evidence did not show incapacitating episodes of IVDS that would warrant a higher evaluation.
- Claimed conditions
- rhabdomyolysis, lumbosacral spine with intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 22, 2017
- Citation
- 1753558
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 1753558.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for radiculopathy, left and right lower extremities as secondary to lumbosacral strain due to a lack of an adequate medical opinion prior to the March 2025 rating decision. The Veteran is advised to cooperate with VA in obtaining relevant evidence.
- Denied
The Veteran's increased evaluation for rhabdomyolysis is denied, and his service connection claims for other conditions are also denied.
- Granted
The Board has granted initial disability ratings of 10 percent for rhabdomyolysis of the bilateral lower legs, muscle group XII, effective April 19, 2024. The decision finds that the Veteran's symptoms during the appeal period more nearly approximate moderate muscle disabilities.
- Granted
The Veteran's rhabdomyolysis was granted service connection, and the right shoulder strain increased to a 30 percent rating. The decision also noted that the Veteran's pain limits her ability to perform normal working movements of the body.
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