The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his service-connected back disability and associated neurological, urinary, and bowel impairments has been granted. He is now rated at 80 percent for left lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy, 80 percent for right lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy, 60 percent for urinary dysfunction, and 100 percent for bowel dysfunction as secondary to his service-connected back disability.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected back disability has resulted in complete paralysis of the sciatic nerve in both lower extremities, requiring separate compensable ratings for left and right lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy. His urinary dysfunction and bowel dysfunction have also been rated separately as secondary to his service-connected back disability.
- Claimed conditions
- Chronic lumbosacral strain, Left lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy, Right lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy, Urinary dysfunction, Bowel dysfunction
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 80%
- Decision date
- February 22, 2018
- Citation
- 1811386
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 1811386.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment as of May 24, 2010.
- Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis with abnormal curvature of the lumbar spine and left lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy, finding that there is no evidence to support a direct relationship between these conditions and his military service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bladder dysfunction and bowel dysfunction as secondary to his service-connected degenerative changes of the lumbar spine due to insufficient opinions in previous examinations.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's claim for an automobile allowance was granted, while several other claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board also denied the claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.
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