The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disk disease and degenerative joint disease with intervertebral disk syndrome are currently rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available for this condition.,The Veteran's right lower extremity sciatica is currently rated at 20 percent. The Board found that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on moderate incomplete paralysis.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations did not show any evidence of ankylosis or incapacitating episodes, and the Veteran's range of motion was within the limits required for a 20 percent rating under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine. The Board found that her symptoms were adequately addressed by the current 20 percent rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Lumbar Spine Degenerative Disk Disease and Degenerative Joint Disease with Intervertebral Disk Syndrome, Right Lower Extremity Sciatica
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- May 13, 2019
- Citation
- 19136967
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 19136967.
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- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's death was caused by heart failure, which the Board finds may be service-connected through secondary service connection due to obesity resulting from his service-connected PTSD and back disability. However, VA failed to obtain a medical opinion addressing whether obesity is a substantial factor in causing heart failure.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for asthma under the PACT Act but denied service connection for GERD, right lower extremity sciatica, left lower extremity sciatica, and bilateral hearing loss.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for Bell's Palsy, bilateral hearing loss, contact dermatitis, migraines, and right lower extremity sciatica due to a lack of new and relevant evidence.
- Granted
The Veteran's initial evaluations for right and left lower extremity radiculopathies of the femoral, internal popliteal, sciatic nerves, and major depressive disorder have been granted. The Veteran is also remanded for further evaluation regarding his lumbar spine disability.
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