The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy rating was reduced from 20 percent to 10 percent effective January 18, 2008. The Veteran's increased rating claim for right lower extremity radiculopathy and TDIU claims were denied due to failure to report for scheduled VA examinations.,The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was not rated in excess of 40 percent.
The deciding factor: The Veteran failed to appear for a VA examination, which resulted in denial of his increased rating claim and TDIU claims. The reduction in rating from 20% to 10% was upheld.,There is no evidence of improvement in the Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine that would warrant an increase beyond the current 40 percent rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Right lower extremity radiculopathy, Degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 7, 2017
- Citation
- 1756693
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 1756693.
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy was evaluated at a 20 percent rating, and the Board found that it did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew the claims for psychiatric disability and sleep apnea.,Service connection was granted for right lower extremity radiculopathy and left lower extremity radiculopathy secondary to a service-connected back disability, but denied for right wrist disability.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for degenerative disc disease prior to August 1, 2025 was denied as the evidence did not show unfavorable ankylosis of the thoracolumbar spine.,The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy prior to March 10, 2025 were denied as there is no neurological impairment associated with these conditions.
- Denied
The Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches and lumbar spine disability, as well as left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, were denied. The effective dates for these conditions are also denied.
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