The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, right and left lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities have been granted ratings from July 1, 2011 to January 23, 2019. The Veteran is now in receipt of a 40 percent rating for his lumbar spine disability. For the period beginning December 14, 2017 to November 18, 2019, he was granted ratings of 20 percent for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve). The Veteran's claims for increased ratings beyond these periods were denied.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show that the Veteran had ankylosis or IVDS during the appeal period, which would have warranted a higher rating. For the period beginning December 14, 2017 to November 18, 2019, the Veteran's radiculopathy disabilities were found to be at least in equipoise with moderate incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve roots.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- October 25, 2021
- Citation
- 21065183
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 21065183.
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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals were dismissed due to the death of the appellant. The issues related to service connection for various conditions and disability ratings.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy and denied the claims for right knee disability, erectile dysfunction, GERD, sleep apnea, and hypertension. The decision is remanded for further action on these issues.
- Granted
The Board has granted earlier effective dates for the grant of service connection for middle and index trigger finger/stenosing tenosynovitis of the right hand, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy. The earliest effective date is June 30, 2012, for the right hand condition and April 22, 2016, for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.