The Veteran's claim for a separate 10 percent rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy secondary to her service-connected thoracolumbar spine disability is granted from January 24, 2014. Her claim for an increased rating for right knee degenerative changes based on limitation of flexion and extension is partially granted (10% prior to July 8, 2019; denied in excess of 20%). The appeal for service connection for sleep apnea is remanded.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's radiculopathy was found to be secondary to her thoracolumbar spine disability and rated separately. Her right knee degenerative changes were rated based on limitation of flexion, with a separate rating for extension from July 8, 2019. The appeal for service connection for sleep apnea is remanded.
- Claimed conditions
- Right lower extremity radiculopathy, Right knee degenerative changes
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- August 18, 2020
- Citation
- 20054699
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 20054699.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy was evaluated at a 20 percent rating, and the Board found that it did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew the claims for psychiatric disability and sleep apnea.,Service connection was granted for right lower extremity radiculopathy and left lower extremity radiculopathy secondary to a service-connected back disability, but denied for right wrist disability.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for degenerative disc disease prior to August 1, 2025 was denied as the evidence did not show unfavorable ankylosis of the thoracolumbar spine.,The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy prior to March 10, 2025 were denied as there is no neurological impairment associated with these conditions.
- Denied
The Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches and lumbar spine disability, as well as left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, were denied. The effective dates for these conditions are also denied.
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