The Veteran's right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy was rated at 10 percent prior to June 6, 2018 and denied a higher rating. His left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy was also rated at 10 percent prior to June 6, 2018 and denied a higher rating. The Veteran's left lower extremity femoral radiculopathy was rated at 10 percent from August 17, 2018 and denied a higher rating.,The Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability was rated at 20 percent prior to April 7, 2013 and in excess of 40 percent thereafter. The Veteran is also seeking TDIU on an extraschedular basis.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show sciatic radiculopathy that was more than mild prior to June 2018, nor has the Veteran described severe symptoms of sciatic radiculopathy after June 2018. The lumbosacral spine disability is rated based on its severity and impact on function.,The Veteran's education level and work history show he may be unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.
- Claimed conditions
- sciatic radiculopathy, lumbosacral spine disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 11, 2020
- Citation
- 20011198
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 20011198.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for his lumbosacral spine disability and for TDIU based on that condition due to inadequate examination. The case is being returned for further development.
- Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbosacral spine disability, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between the condition and active duty service or any other factor.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's sleep apnea is being remanded for a VA examination to determine if it is proximately due to or has undergone any incremental increase in disability due to his service-connected mental health, back, and shoulder disabilities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are remanded due to a duty-to-assist error in the previous VA examination, which did not discount the ameliorative effects of her pain medication. The case is also remanded for consideration of TDIU as part of the evaluation of her back disability.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.