The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and lower extremity radiculopathies.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was rated at 10 percent, with no higher rating granted.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show that the Veteran’s lumbar spine disability or associated radiculopathies warranted a higher rating based on his range of motion and neurological findings.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar spine disability diagnosed as foraminal narrowing at L4-5, right lower extremity radiculopathy of sciatic nerve, left lower extremity radiculopathy of sciatic nerve, rhabdomyolysis (not explicitly stated but implied by context)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- January 6, 2021
- Citation
- 21000855
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 21000855.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is rated at 40 percent effective November 12, 2019.,Left shoulder arthritis and related disabilities (bicipital tendon tear, rotator cuff tear, labral tear including SLAP) are rated at 30 percent effective May 23, 2019. The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy of the femoral nerve is rated at 40 percent effective January 1, 2019. The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy of sciatic nerve and right lower extremity radiculopathy of the femoral nerve are both rated at 30 percent effective January 1, 2019.,TDIU (total disability rating based on individual unemployability) is not granted due to lack of evidence showing entitlement prior to November 27, 2018.,DEA (Dependents' Educational Assistance) eligibility is denied as it requires a total disability rating.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claims for higher evaluations for left lower extremity radiculopathy of sciatic nerve and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome were denied as the evidence did not support ratings higher than 10 percent.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The appeal to sever service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy of sciatic nerve from October 28, 2013, to June 26, 2020 is dismissed because the proposed determination was not a finalized decision and the Veteran's appeal was premature.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's initial increased rating claims for a lumbar spine disability and right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve were denied.,A TDIU claim was also denied.
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