The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD and dysthymic disorder) are denied. The claim for increased rating for status post laminectomy lumbosacral spine with low back pain is granted to a maximum of 40 percent from September 20, 2010 to August 6, 2016, but denied thereafter. Separate initial ratings in excess of 10 percent are not warranted for femoral nerve radiculopathy of the right leg and sciatic nerve radiculopathy of the left leg.
The deciding factor: The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD or dysthymic disorder, nor is there credible supporting evidence that these conditions are related to service. The rating criteria for increased back disability do not meet the requirements for an increase in rating from September 20, 2010 to August 6, 2016. Separate initial ratings of 10 percent each are warranted for femoral nerve radiculopathy and sciatic nerve radiculopathy.
- Claimed conditions
- Acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD and dysthymic disorder), Status post laminectomy lumbosacral spine with low back pain, Femoral nerve radiculopathy of the right leg, Sciatic nerve radiculopathy of the left leg
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 18, 2018
- Citation
- 1822639
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 1822639.
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