The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet schedular requirements for a higher rating, except for his painful midback scar which was granted a 10% rating.
The deciding factor: The preponderance of the evidence showed no more than moderately severe muscle injury to the thoracic region and no instability or pain in the scars. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was rated as 20%, radiculopathy ratings were denied, and his surgical scar did not meet criteria for a compensable rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Gunshot Wound of Back Muscle Group XX, Painful Midback Scars Status Post GSW, Low Back Surgical Scar, Thoracic and Lumbar Degenerative Joint Disease, Right Lower Extremity Sciatic Nerve Radiculopathy, Left Lower Extremity Sciatic Nerve Radiculopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 5, 2020
- Citation
- 20052111
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 20052111.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's initial ratings for left lower extremity (LLE) radiculopathy, sciatic nerve and femoral nerve have been granted at a 20 percent level.
- Denied
The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensable prior to August 19, 2024 and at a 20% rating since that date.,The Veteran's depressive disorder is rated as 30% prior to December 1, 2022 and at a 40% rating since that date.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated as 20% prior to December 1, 2022 and at a 40% rating since that date.,The Veteran's left lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy is rated as 10% prior to August 3, 2024 and at a 20% rating since that date.,The Veteran's right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy is rated as 10% prior to August 3, 2024 and at a 20% rating since that date.,The Veteran's left lower extremity femoral nerve radiculopathy is rated as 20% since August 3, 2024.,The Veteran's right ankle disability is rated as 10% prior to August 27, 2024 and at a 20% rating since that date.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected conditions were granted increased ratings, and attorney fees are awarded for past-due benefits resulting from these decisions.
- Granted
The Veteran's left and right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathies have been granted increased disability ratings of 40 percent each.,The Veteran's left and right lower extremity femoral nerve radiculopathies have been granted increased disability ratings of 30 percent each.
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.