The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his lumbar spine and lower extremity disabilities was denied. A rating of 40 percent, but not greater, is granted for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity from December 3, 2012 to present. The claims for service connection for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity prior to December 3, 2012 and for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity from December 3, 2012 to present were denied.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.
- Claimed conditions
- d multi-level degenerative disc disease with stenosis at L3-L4 and L4-L5 plus bilateral recess stenosis, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- July 17, 2018
- Citation
- 18118581
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 18118581.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his physical limitations could be accommodated by sedentary employment.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has denied service connection for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity and remanded the claim for adjustment disorder. The Veteran's radiculopathy is not shown to be related to his military service, while his adjustment disorder may be related to civilian life.
- Dismissed
The Board has dismissed all service connection claims and rating determinations due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for low back disability and radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities due to a failure to provide adequate reasons or bases in the November 2024 decision as to whether the pre-decisional duty to assist had been satisfied.
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