The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability and sciatic radiculopathy of the lower extremities are rated at 10 percent prior to March 2, 2020, and in excess of 20 percent thereafter. The appeals for increased ratings are denied.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations did not find any ankylosis or incapacitating episodes that would warrant higher ratings under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine or intervertebral disc syndrome criteria.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, Sciatic radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, Sciatic radiculopathy of the left lower extremity
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- March 7, 2022
- Citation
- 22012823
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 22012823.
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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for service connection of degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine was dismissed as a matter of law due to a full grant of benefits. The appeals for left knee and left ankle disabilities are remanded.
- Granted
The Veteran's lumbar disability and associated radiculopathy of the sciatic and femoral nerves are granted with effective dates from June 30, 2010. A 40% rating is assigned for the lumbar disability.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disability, including degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, is related to his active service and grants service connection for this condition.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 40 percent for his back disability is denied. The issue of entitlement to a TDIU from February 25, 2016, to August 14, 2022, is also denied. The effective date for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits is denied.
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