The Veteran's claim for a restoration of the 10 percent evaluation for femoral nerve radiculopathy and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for sciatic nerve radiculopathy is granted. The claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and for a higher rating since January 22, 2020 are remanded.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not support the reduction from 10% to noncompensable in the case of femoral nerve radiculopathy. For sciatic nerve radiculopathy, the Veteran's symptoms have been consistently moderate and do not warrant a higher rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Femoral nerve radiculopathy, Sciatic nerve radiculopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- February 18, 2020
- Citation
- 20012853
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 20012853.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy is productive of moderately severe incomplete paralysis, with symptoms including diminished muscle strength and hypoactive reflexes. The Board has granted initial ratings of 40 percent for both the right and left lower extremities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case for a new medical opinion regarding the Veteran's eligibility for PCAFC benefits due to insufficient reasoning in the previous decision. The claim will be reconsidered based on all available evidence, including lay statements and medical opinions.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent for low back strain with spondylosis, a separate rating for sciatic nerve radiculopathy, and entitlement to TDIU due to duty-to-assist errors.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for a retrospective opinion to determine when and how severe the Veteran's sciatic and femoral nerve radiculopathy is, as well as which nerves are affected.
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