The Veteran's right and left lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathies have each been granted a rating of 10 percent, effective from December 17, 2009. The Veteran's lumbar spine DDD has also been granted a 10 percent rating, effective from the same date.
The deciding factor: The VA examiners found that the Veteran's sciatic nerve radiculopathies had each approximated mild incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve, and his lumbar spine disability had more closely approximated disability resulting in forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 60 degrees.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) of the lumbar spine, Right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy, Left lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- July 1, 2021
- Citation
- 21039953
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 21039953.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 50 percent effective February 13, 2021. His left lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy is rated at 80 percent from April 21, 2013 to February 12, 2021. The Veteran's TDIU claim has an earlier effective date of April 21, 2013.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that there is a need for additional medical examination and opinion to address the Veteran's claim of service connection for a back disability, including DDD of the lumbar spine. The current VA opinions are deemed inadequate due to their failure to consider the Veteran's lay reports of in-service injury and continuous symptomatology since service.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected right lower extremity sciatic and femoral nerve radiculopathy with restless leg syndrome is currently rated at 20 percent, effective May 8, 2024. The appeal for higher ratings has been denied.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease and associated right and left lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted TDIU on this basis.
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