The Veteran's radiculopathy of the left lower extremity has been rated at 20 percent since January 27, 2009. The right lower extremity radiculopathy was also granted a separate 10 percent rating effective December 18, 2008.
The deciding factor: The VA examination in May 2010 showed mild to moderate incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve for both left and right lower extremities, which is consistent with the assigned ratings under Diagnostic Code 8520.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with herniated discs at L4-L5 and L5-S1, Radiculopathy of the left lower extremity associated with degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with herniated discs at L4-L5 and L5-S1 due to low back strain, Radiculopathy of the right lower extremity associated with degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with herniated discs at L4-L5 and L5-S1 due to low back strain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- November 24, 2017
- Citation
- 1753897
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 1753897.
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 the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar myositis, psychoneurosis and conversion hysteria, residuals of shrapnel wounds of the left thigh and pelvis with retained foreign bodies and scars, and residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right thigh and left leg. The veteran was also denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected coronary artery disease, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of his condition.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected musculoligamentous strain, right knee, is currently rated at 10 percent and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted as the evidence shows a current diagnosis of PTSD, an in-service stressor, and a medical link between the two.
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