The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities were denied increased ratings.,A rating in excess of the assigned 10 percent for a lumbar spine disability prior to August 14, 2019 was not granted. A rating in excess of the assigned 20 percent for a lumbar spine disability since August 14, 2019 was also denied.,Ratings in excess of the assigned 10 percent for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities were also denied.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 60 degrees, a combined range of motion of the thoracolumbar spine not greater than 120 degrees, or muscle spasm or guarding severe enough to result in an abnormal gait or abnormal spinal contour such as scoliosis, reversed lordosis, or abnormal kyphosis for a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to August 14, 2019.,The evidence did not show forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine to 30 degrees or less, favorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine, or intervertebral disc syndrome with incapacitating episodes having a total duration of at least 4 weeks but less than 6 weeks during the past 12 months for a rating in excess of 20 percent since August 14, 2019.,The evidence did not show incomplete paralysis that is 'moderate' in nature for ratings in excess of 10 percent for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar spine disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 17, 2020
- Citation
- 20054261
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 20054261.
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 service connection for a lumbar spine disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability.
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed all issues on appeal as the May 2024 rating decision was a purely ministerial implementation of the April 2024 Board decision.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the claims for miscarriage, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, and right elbow disability due to insufficient examination opinions and incomplete service history verification.
- Dismissed
Your initial evaluations for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve have been granted, but your appeal is dismissed due to the Veteran's death.
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