The Veteran's right and left lower extremity radiculopathies (sciatic) associated with lumbosacral strain, degenerative arthritis of the spine, intervertebral disc syndrome have been rated at 20 percent each. The Board denied an increased rating for these conditions.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's right and left lower extremity radiculopathies (sciatic) associated with lumbosacral strain, degenerative arthritis of the spine, intervertebral disc syndrome have been rated at 20 percent each based on moderate incomplete paralysis. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Right lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic), Left lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic), Lumbosacral strain, Degenerative arthritis of the spine, Intervertebral disc syndrome
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- April 30, 2019
- Citation
- 19133730
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 631 · Granted: 21% (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 19133730.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine, right knee degenerative arthritis, left knee degenerative arthritis, right ankle degenerative arthritis, and left ankle degenerative arthritis.
- Granted
The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 50 percent effective February 13, 2021. His left lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy is rated at 80 percent from April 21, 2013 to February 12, 2021. The Veteran's TDIU claim has an earlier effective date of April 21, 2013.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for the lumbar spine disability prior to October 11, 2022 and since December 1, 2022. The Veteran's claim is currently rated at 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 5242.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis and a lumbosacral strain, is at least as likely as not related to his active service. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.
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