The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for DDD of the lumbosacral spine, with implanted neurostimulator and scar is denied. The separate rating assigned for radiculopathy of the LLE as of August 4, 2016, remains proper.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's DDD of the lumbosacral spine did not result in forward flexion limited to 60 degrees or less or a combined range of motion of 235 degrees or less, even with consideration of functional loss due to symptoms such as pain and repetitive use.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) of the lumbosacral spine, Radiculopathy of the left lower extremity (LLE)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- April 30, 2020
- Citation
- 20030592
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 20030592.
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 Board has granted an initial disability rating of 20 percent for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity and left lower extremity, finding moderate incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerves.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his back disability and radiculopathy of both lower extremities, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on current functional impairment or incapacitating episodes.
- Denied
The appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent left peroneal nerve impairment and the propriety of separate ratings for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities were denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for increased ratings for left shoulder strain, DDD of the lumbar spine, radiculopathy of both lower extremities, and TDIU due to insufficient evidence regarding flare-ups and baseline severity.
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