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
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- 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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1804681.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: 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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