The Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the lower spine with lumbosacral strain and right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy have been rated at 10 percent, but no higher. The rating for the lower spine is denied as it does not meet criteria for a higher evaluation.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the lower spine with lumbosacral strain did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 5242 due to limitations in range of motion and muscle spasm, which do not warrant an increase beyond 10 percent.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Joint Disease of the Lower Spine with Lumbosacral Strain, Right Lower Extremity Sciatic Radiculopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- July 20, 2018
- Citation
- 18120092
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 18120092.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
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- Granted
The Veteran's cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, right and left lower extremity radiculopathies, and common peroneal and superficial peroneal radiculopathies have been granted initial ratings. The Veteran's deep peroneal radiculopathy has also been granted an initial rating.
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