The Veteran's ratings for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, sciatic nerve sensory deficit of the left lower extremity, and sciatic nerve sensory deficit of the right lower extremity were reduced from their previous levels. The reductions are denied as proper.
The deciding factor: The reduction in rating was based on improvement in the Veteran's condition by July 1, 2011, with no evidence of incapacitating episodes or other criteria warranting higher ratings.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, Sciatic nerve sensory deficit of the left lower extremity, Sciatic nerve sensory deficit of the right lower extremity
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 5, 2019
- Citation
- 19115741
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 19115741.
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.
- 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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