The Board granted a 40 percent rating for degenerative disc disease at L4-L5 prior to December 2, 2020 and denied an increased evaluation in excess of 40 percent after that date. The Board also granted a 10 percent rating for radiculopathy affecting the sciatic nerve and femoral nerve in both lower extremities prior to December 23, 2016 and denied ratings greater than 40 percent or 30 percent respectively after that date.

The deciding factor: The Board granted a higher rating where the evidence supported it but denied increased ratings where the evidence did not support them.

Claimed conditions

Degenerative disc disease at L4-L5, Radiculopathy, sciatic nerve, left lower extremity, Radiculopathy, sciatic nerve, right lower extremity, Radiculopathy, femoral nerve, left lower extremity, Radiculopathy, femoral nerve, right lower extremity

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

None in this decision

Decision date

October 8, 2021

Citation

21062572