The Veteran's low back disability is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board denied an increased rating greater than 20 percent.,The Veteran was granted a 20 percent initial rating for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity (femoral nerve) and a 10 percent initial rating for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity (sciatic nerve).,The Board denied an increased rating greater than 20 percent for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity (sciatic nerve), finding that it more nearly approximated moderate paralysis.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's low back disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.,The radiculopathy of the left lower extremity (femoral nerve) was rated at 20 percent, as it more nearly approximated moderate paralysis.,The radiculopathy of the left lower extremity (sciatic nerve) was rated at 10 percent, as it more nearly approximated moderate paralysis.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine (low back disability), Radiculopathy of the left lower extremity (femoral nerve), Radiculopathy of the left lower extremity (sciatic nerve)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- October 19, 2021
- Citation
- 21064340
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 21064340.
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's low back disability, including degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, is considered to have originated during his active service and continues today. The Board has therefore granted service connection for this condition.
- Denied
The Veteran's lumbar spine condition and lower extremity radiculopathy conditions were rated at 40 percent and 20 percent, respectively, effective May 24, 2022.,Prior to May 24, 2022, there is no evidence of an increase in severity for the Veteran's lumbar spine condition or lower extremity radiculopathy conditions.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.
- Partly granted
The Board denied several claims for increased ratings and service connection, granted initial evaluations of 20 percent for radiculopathy in the left and right lower extremities, and dismissed a claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction.
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