The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity are all rated at their highest possible under VA regulations. The Board finds that these conditions meet the criteria for a 40 percent rating each.
The deciding factor: The evidence shows that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability has resulted in moderate incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve bilaterally, which is consistent with his radiculopathy diagnoses. His service-connected cervical spine disability has also been found to be related to his radiculopathy conditions, further supporting a secondary service connection.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar spine strain, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- April 20, 2018
- Citation
- 1823427
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 1823427.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his physical limitations could be accommodated by sedentary employment.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has denied service connection for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity and remanded the claim for adjustment disorder. The Veteran's radiculopathy is not shown to be related to his military service, while his adjustment disorder may be related to civilian life.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to lack of functional impairment. The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine if any service-connected disability results in loss of use of both lower extremities, one lower extremity and one upper extremity, or residuals affecting balance and propulsion.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from engaging in gainful employment as of January 1, 2019. The Board granted a TDIU effective from that date.
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