The Veteran's radiculopathy of the left lower extremity (sciatic nerve) is granted a rating of 20 percent from December 6, 2010 to September 11, 2013. The appeal for ratings in excess of 40 percent beginning on September 11, 2013 and for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity (femoral nerve) is denied. Ratings in excess of 20 percent for degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine are denied. Ratings in excess of 10 percent for right lower extremity (sciatic nerve) radiculopathy are also denied. The Veteran's PTSD from December 6, 2010 to February 5, 2020 is denied.
The deciding factor: The evidence shows that the Veteran’s radiculopathy of the left lower extremity was manifested by moderate incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve and accompanying symptoms. The cervical spine condition was not manifested by ankylosis or bowel/urinary impairment, while the lumbar spine condition did not meet criteria for intervertebral disc syndrome. PTSD met criteria for occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.
- Claimed conditions
- Radiculopathy of the left lower extremity (sciatic nerve), Degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine, Degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- October 15, 2020
- Citation
- 20067096
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.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for PTSD, resolving reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor and finding that his PTSD is related to an in-service military sexual trauma (MST) during a period of ACDUTRA.
- Partly granted
The Board granted an effective date of May 17, 2019, for a 70 percent disability rating for PTSD but denied earlier effective dates for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.
- Partly granted
The Board granted readjudication of previously denied claims for service connection for PTSD and COPD, while remanding other issues including entitlement to service connection for an eye disorder, hypertension, tinnitus, a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, TDIU, and an initial rating for PTSD.
- Denied
The appeal for service connection for PTSD was dismissed, and the claims for a compensable rating for the lower back scar, service connection for COPD, and peripheral artery disease were denied.
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