The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for her service-connected low back disability and radiculopathy of the lower extremities have been denied. The current evaluations are found to be appropriate based on the evidence showing that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence does not demonstrate ankylosis or incapacitating episodes as required for higher ratings, and the Veteran's symptoms do not warrant such ratings.
- Claimed conditions
- {"condition_name":"Chronic Low Back Strain with Spondylolysis and Multilevel Degenerative Disc Disease"}, {"condition_name":"Radiculopathy of the Right Lower Extremity"}, {"condition_name":"Radiculopathy of the Left Lower Extremity"}
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 29, 2019
- Citation
- 19106672
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
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