The Veteran's service-connected DJD of the thoracolumbar spine is granted a 20% evaluation prior to February 26, 2018. The issue of higher evaluations for radiculopathy of the LLE and RLE associated with DJD remains remanded.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations did not adequately address the Veteran's radicular symptoms as evidenced by the lack of review of recent medical records.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) of the thoracolumbar spine, Radiculopathy of the left lower extremity (LLE), Radiculopathy of the right lower extremity (RLE)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- September 21, 2018
- Citation
- 18137382
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 18137382.
What this means for you
A partial grant means some issues were granted while others were denied or remanded — common in multi-issue claims. Look at which issues went which way, and how each was argued.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board has granted an initial disability rating of 20 percent for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity and left lower extremity, finding moderate incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerves.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his DJD of the thoracolumbar spine is being remanded due to a need for additional medical opinion regarding the functional impairment associated with his condition, without considering the beneficial effects of medication.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his back disability and radiculopathy of both lower extremities, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on current functional impairment or incapacitating episodes.
- Partly granted
The Board granted an initial 70 percent rating for PTSD with TBI, a 20 percent rating effective July 13, 2023 for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine and thoracic disc degeneration, and a separate 10 percent rating effective July 13, 2023 for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity. The Board denied higher ratings for cervical spine conditions, bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy, and other conditions including hearing loss, fractured finger, and deviated nasal septum, while remanding two issues for further consideration.
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