The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine was denied.,Effective dates were granted for a 10% rating for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity (RLE) and left lower extremity (LLE), both effective January 28, 2014.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence did not support a higher rating based on forward flexion limitations or incapacitating episodes.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, Radiculopathy of the right lower extremity (RLE), Radiculopathy of the left lower extremity (LLE)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- November 30, 2021
- Citation
- A21019042
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 A21019042.
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
The Veteran's appeal for service connection of degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine was dismissed as a matter of law due to a full grant of benefits. The appeals for left knee and left ankle disabilities are remanded.
- Granted
The Veteran's lumbar disability and associated radiculopathy of the sciatic and femoral nerves are granted with effective dates from June 30, 2010. A 40% rating is assigned for the lumbar disability.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disability, including degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, is related to his active service and grants service connection for this condition.
- Granted
The Board has granted an initial disability rating of 20 percent for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity and left lower extremity, finding moderate incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerves.
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