The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability with associated neurological impairment is rated at a single 60 percent rating, and he is granted a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's residuals of compression fractures at L2 and L4 are manifested by pronounced intervertebral disc syndrome with persistent symptoms compatible with sciatic neuropathy. His condition has been treated with strong medications such as morphine and Vicodin, and VA records from January 2003 specifically noted that the Veteran had a need for significant pain medications.
- Claimed conditions
- residuals of compression fractures at L2 and L4, sciatic neuropathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 60%
- Decision date
- December 5, 2017
- Citation
- 1755950
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 1755950.
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 Veteran's claim for service connection for radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities has been denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for sciatic neuropathy of the left lower extremity is being remanded for further review.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity did not manifest prior to January 25, 2004. Therefore, an effective date earlier than January 25, 2004, for this condition is denied.
- Granted
The Board has granted a rating of 40 percent for sciatic neuropathy, left lower extremity, associated with left hip osteoarthritis with limited abduction. This decision is based on the Veteran's symptoms and medical examination findings.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for service connection for neurological impairment of the right lower extremity, including radiculopathy and sciatic neuropathy secondary to his already established lumbosacral strain (low back disability), is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding objective findings of these conditions.
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