The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is rated at 40 percent effective May 19, 2009. The Veteran's sciatic nerve radiculopathy and femoral nerve radiculopathy are each rated at 20 percent from January 19, 2017; 40 percent from June 16, 2017 for left sciatic nerve radiculopathy; and 30 percent from November 9, 2018 for left femoral nerve radiculopathy.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's disability ratings were determined based on the severity of his symptoms as evaluated by VA examiners, with consideration given to functional loss due to pain and other factors affecting mobility.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, Sciatic nerve radiculopathy, Femoral nerve radiculopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- January 25, 2019
- Citation
- 19106069
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 service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment, thus granting a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).
- Dismissed
The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's death while it was pending.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, finding a positive nexus to the Veteran's active duty service.
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed the appeal of proposed rating reductions for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and radiculopathy, left lower extremity, due to procedural defects in the Veteran's notice of disagreement. The issue regarding a compensable rating for migraine headaches was remanded.
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