For the rating period from January 14, 2008 to January 23, 2009, an increased disability rating in excess of 20 percent for the lumbosacral strain with degenerative changes (lumbar spine disability) is denied.,For the rating period from January 23, 2009 forward, an increased disability rating in excess of 40 percent for the lumbar spine disability is denied.,A higher initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy is denied.,A higher initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for left lower extremity radiculopathy is denied.
The deciding factor: The lumbar spine disability has not manifested ankylosis or incapacitating episodes requiring physician ordered bed rest over a 12-month period.,The lumbar spine disability has not manifested ankylosis or incapacitating episodes requiring physician ordered bed rest over a 12-month period.,Right lower extremity radiculopathy has not manifested moderate incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve.,Left lower extremity radiculopathy has not manifested moderate incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbosacral strain with degenerative changes (lumbar spine disability), right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- April 15, 2021
- Citation
- 21022369
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 21022369.
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals were dismissed due to the death of the appellant. The issues related to service connection for various conditions and disability ratings.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy and denied the claims for right knee disability, erectile dysfunction, GERD, sleep apnea, and hypertension. The decision is remanded for further action on these issues.
- Granted
The Board has granted earlier effective dates for the grant of service connection for middle and index trigger finger/stenosing tenosynovitis of the right hand, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy. The earliest effective date is June 30, 2012, for the right hand condition and April 22, 2016, for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy.
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