The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder is currently rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating for a lumbosacral spine disability. The Board denied an increased rating as there was no evidence of incapacitating episodes or additional loss of function due to pain.,The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy is currently rated at 10 percent, which is the minimum schedular rating for mild incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve. The Board denied an increased rating based on the examiner's characterization of the condition as mild and lack of more severe symptoms.,The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy is currently rated at 10 percent, which is the minimum schedular rating for mild incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve. The Board denied an increased rating based on the examiner's characterization of the condition as mild and lack of more severe symptoms.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's conditions warrant higher ratings under the applicable diagnostic codes.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine, Left lower extremity radiculopathy, sciatic nerve, Right lower extremity radiculopathy, sciatic nerve
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 26, 2019
- Citation
- 19132833
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,642 · Granted: 19% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 19132833.
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy, sciatic nerve associated with unstable back syndrome with degenerative changes (to include spinal stenosis, intervertebral disc syndrome) is currently rated at 10 percent.,The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy, sciatic nerve associated with unstable back syndrome with degenerative changes (to include spinal stenosis, intervertebral disc syndrome) is currently rated at 10 percent.
- Denied
The Veteran's initial ratings for degenerative disc disease with spinal stenosis and disc bulge, right lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve), and right lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral nerve) have been denied.,The Veteran's back disability is rated at 10 percent due to limitations in range of motion. The claim for an increased rating was denied.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to concurrent elections of review options.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the severity of the Veteran's lumbar spine and lower extremity radiculopathy conditions, including during flare-ups and after repetitive use over time.
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