The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine and peripheral neuropathy of the lower left extremity sciatic nerve were denied as there was no evidence to support a rating in excess of 10 percent.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found that the Veteran’s symptoms related to his conditions did not warrant a higher rating, with mild radiculopathy for the lower left extremity and forward flexion at 70 degrees for the thoracolumbar spine.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, Peripheral neuropathy of the lower left extremity sciatic nerve
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- December 18, 2018
- Citation
- 18158836
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 18158836.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine as there was no evidence of an in-service incurrence or a relationship to service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for an initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine and in excess of 10 percent for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve) to ensure compliance with the duty to assist.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine and thoracolumbar spine, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.
- Denied
The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability prior to August 28, 2017, and a rating in excess of 20 percent from that date.
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