The Veteran's initial claim for increased ratings for DDD of the lumbar spine and associated radiculopathy was denied. The Veteran is currently evaluated at 40 percent disabling for DDD of the lumbar spine.,For the period from July 11, 2013 to June 25, 2015, the Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy associated with DDD of the lumbar spine was evaluated at 20 percent. The Veteran is now rated at 60 percent for this condition.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show more than moderate incomplete paralysis involving sciatic nerve of the left lower extremity during the period from July 11, 2013 to June 25, 2015.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) of the lumbar spine, Left lower extremity radiculopathy associated with DDD of the lumbar spine, Right lower extremity radiculopathy associated with DDD of the lumbar spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- December 18, 2020
- Citation
- 20080104
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.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for a higher rating for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and an earlier effective date for total disability based on individual unemployability.
- Denied
The Board denied an effective date prior to January 10, 2024, for the grant of service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine.
- Denied
The Board denied the claim for increased rating for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, both prior to and from December 2, 2019.
- Granted
The Board granted an initial disability rating of 40 percent for degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the lumbar spine.
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