The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine is rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds no evidence to warrant a higher rating.,The Veteran's right leg radiculopathy (sciatic nerve) is rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds no evidence to warrant a higher rating.,Prior to December 16, 2016, the Veteran's left leg radiculopathy (sciatic nerve) was rated at 10 percent. The Board finds no evidence to warrant a higher rating.,Beginning December 16, 2016, the Veteran's left leg radiculopathy (sciatic nerve) is rated at 20 percent and the Board finds no evidence to warrant a higher rating.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found that the Veteran’s forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine was 60 degrees, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine. The Board also considered other diagnostic codes but found no basis to assign any higher ratings.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine, Right leg radiculopathy (sciatic nerve), Left leg radiculopathy (sciatic nerve)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- March 18, 2020
- Citation
- 20019986
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 20019986.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's back disability is rated at 40 percent prior to January 13, 2022. Effective March 18, 2020, the Veteran is granted TDIU.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received for the Veteran's claims of service connection for degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine and obstructive sleep apnea. As a result, these claims are being remanded to allow for further review.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted entitlement to Chapter 33 educational assistance benefits at the 100 percent rate due to his service-connected back disability and discharge from active duty.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for his lumbar spine disability. The Court granted a JMPR, which required the Board to address pain on passive range of motion and nonweight-bearing testing. The case is now remanded due to inadequate examination documentation.
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