The Veteran's low back disability was reduced from 60 percent to 10 percent effective September 1, 2016. The reduction resulted in a decreased combined disability rating.,From September 1, 2016 to December 5, 2018, the Veteran's low back disability more closely approximated a combined range of motion of the thoracolumbar spine less than 120 degrees.,From December 6, 2018, the Veteran's low back disability more closely approximated favorable ankylosis of the thoracolumbar spine. The left lower extremity radiculopathy affecting the sciatic nerve has been rated as moderate incomplete paralysis.,The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy affecting the femoral nerve from April 26, 2018 was granted a separate 20 percent rating.,Prior to March 12, 2015, the Veteran's service-connected disabilities precluded him from obtaining or maintaining gainful employment. The TDIU claim is pending.,The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy affecting the sciatic nerve was reduced from 40 percent to 20 percent effective September 1, 2016.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show improvement in the Veteran's condition that would warrant a reduction of his disability ratings.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar spine spondylosis, left lower extremity radiculopathy affecting the sciatic nerve, left lower extremity radiculopathy affecting the femoral nerve
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- May 4, 2021
- Citation
- 21027146
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 21027146.
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
Service connection for tinnitus is granted.,An increased rating of 30 percent, but no higher, is granted for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) from February 1, 2020.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for lumbar spine spondylosis was denied due to his failure to report for a scheduled VA examination.,Service connection for cervical spine disability, left foot disability (hallux valgus), GERD, headache disability, and hypertension were all denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for service connection.,The Veteran's claim for increased rating of lumbar spine spondylosis was denied due to his failure to report for a scheduled VA examination.
- Granted
The Veteran was granted a TDIU for the period from January 1, 2020 to September 30, 2023 due to service-connected disabilities preventing him from maintaining substantially gainful employment.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the claims of increased disability ratings and TDIU, including consideration of new private medical records.
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