The Veteran's right lower extremity sciatica is granted an initial 40 percent evaluation, but no higher. The lumbosacral strain with osteoarthritis, thoracic spine remains rated at 20 percent.
The deciding factor: The April 2017 VA examination indicated the Veteran had moderately severe incomplete paralysis of the right lower extremity sciatica, warranting a 40% evaluation under Diagnostic Code 8520.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbosacral strain with osteoarthritis, thoracic spine, right lower extremity sciatica
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- April 29, 2019
- Citation
- 19132816
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.
- Partly granted
The Board denied increased ratings for left and right lower extremity sciatica but granted separate disability ratings for neuritis and neuralgia.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left upper and lower extremities, as well as right and left lower extremity sciatica.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for neck pain, bilateral hearing loss, right lower extremity sciatica, an acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety and depression), obstructive sleep apnea, sinusitis, and left plantar fasciitis.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a 20 percent evaluation for right lower extremity sciatica and denied an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy of the femoral nerve.
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