The Veteran's lumbosacral strain, right and left lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve) are rated at 40 percent from February 21, 2012 to October 14, 2019. The Veteran is granted a total disability rating due to individual unemployability effective February 21, 2012 and basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits beginning February 21, 2012.
The deciding factor: The evidence shows the Veteran's lumbosacral strain with intervertebral disc syndrome and spinal fusion resulted in a functional impairment equivalent to forward flexion less than 30 degrees. The right lower extremity radiculopathy was characterized by moderately severe incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve, while the left lower extremity radiculopathy was characterized as moderate incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve.
- Claimed conditions
- Lumbosacral strain with intervertebral disc syndrome and spinal fusion, Right lower extremity radiculopathy, sciatic nerve, Left lower extremity radiculopathy, sciatic nerve
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- December 22, 2020
- Citation
- A20019184
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 A20019184.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy, sciatic nerve associated with unstable back syndrome with degenerative changes (to include spinal stenosis, intervertebral disc syndrome) is currently rated at 10 percent.,The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy, sciatic nerve associated with unstable back syndrome with degenerative changes (to include spinal stenosis, intervertebral disc syndrome) is currently rated at 10 percent.
- Denied
The Veteran's initial ratings for degenerative disc disease with spinal stenosis and disc bulge, right lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve), and right lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral nerve) have been denied.,The Veteran's back disability is rated at 10 percent due to limitations in range of motion. The claim for an increased rating was denied.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to concurrent elections of review options.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the severity of the Veteran's lumbar spine and lower extremity radiculopathy conditions, including during flare-ups and after repetitive use over time.
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