The Veteran's radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities and femoral radiculopathy of the left lower extremity are currently rated at 20 percent from December 21, 2016. The Veteran is not entitled to a higher rating for these conditions.,The Veteran's lumbar spine strain with disc herniation was rated at 20 percent from December 21, 2016 to March 24, 2020 and granted a 40 percent rating starting from March 24, 2020.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities is currently rated at 20 percent based on moderate incomplete paralysis. The lumbar spine strain with disc herniation was rated at 20 percent until March 24, 2020 and granted a 40 percent rating starting from that date.
- Claimed conditions
- Radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities, Lumbar spine strain with disc herniation
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- November 1, 2021
- Citation
- 21066618
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 21066618.
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 Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examiner's opinion regarding whether his service-connected disabilities result in loss of use and if so, whether he requires aid and attendance without considering such disability/ies. The Veteran also needs to be considered for SMC R1 based on the need for regular aid and attendance.
- Granted
The July 2024 rating decision granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities, with initial ratings of 10 percent each. The past-due benefits awarded are contested.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for GERD is denied as there was no evidence of symptomatology warranting such a rating prior to May 19, 2024.,The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for PTSD is denied as the record does not show worsening symptoms within one year before December 31, 2021.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for radiculopathy of the bilateral lower and upper extremities are denied as there was no evidence of such conditions within a year prior to December 31, 2021.,There is no effective date earlier than December 31, 2021, for any of these claims.
- Partly granted
The Board denied a compensable rating for sinusitis and remanded several claims related to back, radiculopathy, ankle, wrist conditions, and obstructive sleep apnea.
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