The Veteran's increased rating for mechanical low back pain with degenerative disc disease is denied. Effective dates of July 23, 2008 are granted for service connection of left and right lower extremity femoral nerve radiculopathies and sciatic nerve radiculopathies.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's disability picture does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine, as there is no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis or intervertebral disc syndrome with incapacitating episodes during the past 12 months.
- Claimed conditions
- Mechanical low back pain, Degenerative disc disease, Left lower extremity, femoral nerve radiculopathy, Right lower extremity, femoral nerve radiculopathy, Left lower extremity, sciatic nerve radiculopathy, Right lower extremity, sciatic nerve radiculopathy
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- July 25, 2018
- Citation
- 18121133
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 18121133.
What this means for you
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Veteran's low back disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the claim for a higher rating is denied. The left shoulder disability is also rated at 20 percent, but there are no incapacitating episodes to warrant a higher rating under the IVDS Formula. The TDIU claim is remanded.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for degenerative disc disease prior to August 1, 2025 was denied as the evidence did not show unfavorable ankylosis of the thoracolumbar spine.,The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy prior to March 10, 2025 were denied as there is no neurological impairment associated with these conditions.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran seeks higher initial ratings for his back disability, but the VA examinations from the period under review are inadequate. The Board finds that remand is necessary to obtain an opinion as to the severity and manifestations of the Veteran's back disability during the period under review.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, finding that there was no evidence of chronicity or continuity of symptomatology since service and concluding that his current disabilities are more likely related to an in-service injury than to his military service.
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