The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his service-connected lumbar spine disability is denied as he does not have ankylosis of the spine or symptoms comparable to unfavorable ankylosis.,The Veteran's initial claims for higher ratings for his left and right lower extremity radiculopathy are denied as they do not meet the criteria for a rating higher than 40 percent prior to July 1, 2014 and thereafter, and 10 percent prior to November 1, 2019 and thereafter.,The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his right lower extremity radiculopathy is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a rating higher than 40 percent from November 1, 2019 onward.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence shows that the Veteran maintains range of motion in his back, albeit limited. There is no evidence of ankylosis or unfavorable ankylosis.,The medical evidence does not show that the Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy was more than mild prior to July 1, 2014 and thereafter, nor did it meet the criteria for a higher rating from July 1, 2014 onward. The right lower extremity radiculopathy also does not meet the criteria for a higher rating from November 1, 2019 onward.,The medical evidence shows that the Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy did not meet the criteria for a higher rating from November 1, 2019 onward.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc and joint disease, lumbar spine, Left lower extremity radiculopathy, Right lower extremity radiculopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 23, 2021
- Citation
- 21009777
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 21009777.
What this means for you
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board has granted effective dates of July 10, 2024 for service connection for PTSD, lumbar strain, and left lower extremity radiculopathy.
- Denied
The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy was evaluated at a 20 percent rating, and the Board found that it did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew the claims for psychiatric disability and sleep apnea.,Service connection was granted for right lower extremity radiculopathy and left lower extremity radiculopathy secondary to a service-connected back disability, but denied for right wrist disability.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for degenerative disc disease prior to August 1, 2025 was denied as the evidence did not show unfavorable ankylosis of the thoracolumbar spine.,The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy prior to March 10, 2025 were denied as there is no neurological impairment associated with these conditions.
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