The Veteran's right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy is currently rated at 20 percent, and the left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy is currently rated at 40 percent. The Board denied increased ratings for both conditions.,The Veteran also sought SMC based on loss of use of his left foot due to his sciatic radiculopathy. The Board found that there was no evidence demonstrating 'loss of use' and thus denied the claim.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence did not show that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities resulted in a level of impairment such that he could not effectively function with his left foot, as required for SMC based on loss of use. The VA examiner opined that the Veteran's condition was analogous to 'loss of use' but found no effective function remaining other than what would be equally well served by an amputation.,The medical evidence did not show that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities resulted in a level of impairment such that he could not effectively function with his left foot, as required for SMC based on loss of use. The VA examiner opined that the Veteran's condition was analogous to 'loss of use' but found no effective function remaining other than what would be equally well served by an amputation.
- Claimed conditions
- Right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy, Left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 17, 2021
- Citation
- 21029995
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 21029995.
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
Effective dates of June 4, 2022 are granted for service connection for unspecified anxiety disorder, lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and disc disease, IVDS, spondylosis, scoliosis and healed compression fracture of T7, right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy, and right lower extremity femoral radiculopathy.,Effective date of October 5, 2023 is granted for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
- Granted
The Veteran is granted a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.
- Granted
The reduction of the Veteran's evaluation for his back disability from 60 percent to 40 percent was improper, and the appeal is granted. The rating in excess of 60 percent for a back disability is denied. The ratings in excess of 20 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy and left lower extremity radiculopathy are also denied.
- Denied
The Veteran's right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy was not service-connected prior to June 17, 2020. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for the disability is also denied.
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