The Veteran's bowel incontinence is granted a 30 percent rating effective November 16, 2018. The lumbar spine and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities are denied increased ratings prior to June 15, 2017.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not show that the Veteran's bowel incontinence warrants a higher rating as it is at least as likely as not due to his lumbar spine disability and there were no additional functional limitations during flare-ups or after repetitive use over time. The radiculopathy of the lower extremities was found to be mild prior to June 15, 2017.
- Claimed conditions
- bowel incontinence, degenerative disc disease with spondylolisthesis and chronic strain of the lumbar spine, left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- November 16, 2018
- Citation
- 18150846
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 18150846.
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 bowel incontinence is rated at 60 percent, but not more. The Board also granted a TDIU prior to January 18, 2013.
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed all issues on appeal as the May 2024 rating decision was a purely ministerial implementation of the April 2024 Board decision.
- Dismissed
Your initial evaluations for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve have been granted, but your appeal is dismissed due to the Veteran's death.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, as well as their associated radiculopathy conditions, are remanded for further development. The fibromyalgia with headaches claim is also remanded due to a duty to assist error.
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