The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and earlier effective dates for his service-connected thoracolumbar degenerative disc disease, sciatic radiculopathy of the lower extremities, and femoral nerve radiculopathy have been granted.,Effective January 14, 2021, the Veteran is assigned a disability rating of 40 percent for thoracolumbar degenerative disc disease. Effective January 14, 2021, he is also granted TDIU.
The deciding factor: The evidence showed that the Veteran's service-connected thoracolumbar degenerative disc disease warranted a higher disability rating and earlier effective dates were established for his femoral nerve radiculopathy.
- Claimed conditions
- Thoracolumbar Degenerative Disc Disease, Left Lower Extremity Sciatic Radiculopathy, Right Lower Extremity Sciatic Radiculopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- November 29, 2021
- Citation
- 21071074
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 21071074.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted, effective October 11, 2020. The TDIU award is based on the combined effects of her service-connected disabilities and their impact on her ability to maintain employment.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted SMC based on the need for aid and attendance at the 38 U.S.C. � 1114(n 1/2) rate, but no higher, prior to January 25, 2019 and from March 1, 2019, due to his service-connected depressive disorder alone causing him to be in need of regular aid and attendance.
- Granted
The Veteran's cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, right and left lower extremity radiculopathies, and common peroneal and superficial peroneal radiculopathies have been granted initial ratings. The Veteran's deep peroneal radiculopathy has also been granted an initial rating.
- Denied
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left lower extremity sciatic and femoral radiculopathy have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating prior to February 22, 2021, or thereafter.
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