The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve associated with service-connected lumbar strain with DDD was denied. The Board found that the disability more closely approximated a moderately severe incomplete paralysis, warranting a 40 percent rating. The issue of entitlement to SMC based on loss of use of the foot due to his radiculopathy was also denied.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not support a finding of marked muscular atrophy or complete paralysis that would warrant a higher rating for incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve.
- Claimed conditions
- left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, service-connected lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease (DDD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- January 22, 2021
- Citation
- 21003602
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 21003602.
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.
- Dismissed
Your initial evaluations for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve have been granted, but your appeal is dismissed due to the Veteran's death.
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed all issues on appeal as the May 2024 rating decision was a purely ministerial implementation of the April 2024 Board decision.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, as well as their associated radiculopathy conditions, are remanded for further development. The fibromyalgia with headaches claim is also remanded due to a duty to assist error.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to determine if the Veteran's service-connected RUE brachial plexus injury and lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve should be rated higher than their current noncompensable (0 percent) ratings.
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