The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy were denied as the evidence did not show that he met the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations showed no findings consistent with a higher rating than 20 percent, including forward flexion limited to 60 degrees and no ankylosis of the spine or lower extremities.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) of the lumbar spine, Sciatic nerve radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, Sciatic nerve radiculopathy of the left lower extremity
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- October 28, 2021
- Citation
- 21066070
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 21066070.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- 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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations to assess the severity of her service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with lumbarization of S1, as well as her sciatic nerve radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities. The claims are inextricably intertwined due to their association.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was denied as his symptoms did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and bilateral hearing loss, do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.
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