The Veteran's service-connected residuals of a lumbar laminectomy are rated at 20 percent, effective May 10, 2010. The claim for an increased rating is denied.,Prior to November 12, 2019, the Veteran's sciatic radiculopathy of the lower left extremity was rated at 20 percent; after that date, it has been rated at 40 percent.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence does not show forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine at 30 degrees or less, nor does it demonstrate favorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine. The Veteran's symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Codes 5241-5243.,The medical evidence shows that prior to November 12, 2019, the Veteran had moderate incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve group, warranting a 20 percent rating. After that date, his condition was characterized as moderately severe incomplete paralysis, which warrants a 40 percent rating.
- Claimed conditions
- residuals of lumbar laminectomy, sciatic radiculopathy of the lower left extremity
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- January 21, 2021
- Citation
- 21003497
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 21003497.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claim for a low back disorder, finding that there are insufficient opinions regarding direct service connection and secondary to service-connected bilateral knee disabilities. The Veteran's lay statements about his symptoms during service have been considered.
- Denied
The Board denied an evaluation greater than 20 percent for the residuals of lumbar laminectomy and granted separate evaluations of 10 percent each for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity (LLE) and right lower extremity (RLE), effective March 28, 2011.
- Denied
The Board found that the Veteran's chronic low back disorder, with residuals of lumbar laminectomy, did not have a direct causal relationship to his military service and denied his claim.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case to the RO for additional development and consideration of the Veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic low back disability, with residuals of lumbar laminectomy.
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