The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, as well as his claim for a TDIU. The Board found that the Veteran’s bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy is moderate in nature, not meeting the criteria for a higher rating.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence did not support a finding of moderately severe incomplete paralysis, which would warrant a higher rating.
- Claimed conditions
- left sciatic nerve radiculopathy, right sciatic nerve radiculopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 28, 2020
- Citation
- A20019288
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 A20019288.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the requirements for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 because he was not continuously rated totally disabled for a period of 10 or more years immediately preceding his death.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal of proposed reductions in ratings for his service-connected back disability and right sciatic nerve radiculopathy is dismissed. The claim of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for left sciatic nerve radiculopathy is remanded.
- Denied
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left and right sciatic nerve radiculopathy were denied as the evidence did not warrant an initial rating in excess of 10 percent.
- Denied
The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates prior to January 27, 2006, for service connection of bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy were denied as there was no claim filed before that date.,The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates prior to January 30, 2004, for service connection of bilateral sciatic nerve radiculopathy were denied as there was no claim filed before that date.,The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates prior to September 29, 2021, for service connection of bilateral femoral nerve radiculopathy were denied as the conditions were not diagnosed or claimed until then.
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.