The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for post laminectomy syndrome, fusion of L5-S1 was denied as the evidence did not show forward flexion to 30 degrees or less nor ankylosis of the thoracolumbar spine.,The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for left lower extremity radiculitis prior to December 24, 2014 was denied as there was no evidence of moderate incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for left lower extremity radiculitis from December 24, 2014 was denied as there was no evidence of moderately severe incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve.
The deciding factor: The preponderance of the evidence did not show forward flexion to 30 degrees or less nor ankylosis of the thoracolumbar spine for post laminectomy syndrome, fusion of L5-S1.,There was no evidence showing moderate incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve prior to December 24, 2014 for left lower extremity radiculitis.,The preponderance of the evidence did not show moderately severe incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve from December 24, 2014 for left lower extremity radiculitis.
- Claimed conditions
- Post laminectomy syndrome, fusion of L5-S1, Left lower extremity radiculitis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- January 22, 2020
- Citation
- 20004988
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,911 · Granted: 10% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed 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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 20004988.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative arthritis and left lower extremity radiculitis from October 19, 2011 onwards is being remanded due to the need for further examination. His initial claim for a higher rating prior to January 6, 2009 for left lower extremity radiculitis has been granted.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's thoracic spine disability was granted an initial rating of 40 percent prior to August 18, 2010. The condition resulted in severe pain and limited range of motion, but no unfavorable ankylosis.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's thoracic spine disability was granted a 60 percent evaluation effective October 22, 2012. The claim for higher evaluations prior to that date remains denied.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was denied as his disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA's General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.
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