The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the issues regarding lower extremity radiculopathies are also addressed with initial ratings of 10 percent each. The Veteran does not meet criteria for a higher rating under these conditions.
The deciding factor: The Veteran’s lumbar spine disability results in forward flexion to at worst, greater than 30 degrees and no ankylosis or physician prescribed bedrest, which do not warrant a higher rating based on the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine. The lower extremity radiculopathies are rated under Diagnostic Code 8526 (femoral nerve) and Diagnostic Code 8520 (sciatic nerve), both of which require no more than moderate or mild incomplete paralysis, respectively.
- Claimed conditions
- Lumbar Spine Disability, Femoral Radiculopathy of the Left Lower Extremity, Femoral Radiculopathy of the Right Lower Extremity, Sciatic Radiculopathy of the Left Lower Extremity, Sciatic Radiculopathy of the Right Lower Extremity
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- January 24, 2018
- Citation
- 1804681
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 1804681.
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.
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensable prior to August 19, 2024 and at a 20% rating since that date.,The Veteran's depressive disorder is rated as 30% prior to December 1, 2022 and at a 40% rating since that date.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated as 20% prior to December 1, 2022 and at a 40% rating since that date.,The Veteran's left lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy is rated as 10% prior to August 3, 2024 and at a 20% rating since that date.,The Veteran's right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy is rated as 10% prior to August 3, 2024 and at a 20% rating since that date.,The Veteran's left lower extremity femoral nerve radiculopathy is rated as 20% since August 3, 2024.,The Veteran's right ankle disability is rated as 10% prior to August 27, 2024 and at a 20% rating since that date.
- Denied
The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent, and his left and right foot disabilities are each rated at 10 percent. The appeals for increased ratings have been denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the claims of increased ratings for Right Shoulder Disability and Lumbar Spine Disability due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error regarding medication effects.
- Denied
The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating of PTSD was denied, as the evidence did not show occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.,Service connection for a left shoulder disability and lumbar spine disability were also denied. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions had onset in service or were otherwise related to service.
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