The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is granted with a 20% rating. The ratings for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy are also granted, but only up to 20%. Additional issues related to femoral nerve involvement have been remanded.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found that the Veteran's lumbar spine condition more nearly approximated limitation of forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine to greater than 30 degrees but less than 60 degrees, with no evidence of incapacitating episodes requiring prescribed bedrest. The ratings for radiculopathy were granted based on current symptomatology.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, Left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, Right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, Left lower extremity radiculopathy of the femoral nerve, Right lower extremity radiculopathy of the femoral nerve
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- March 26, 2022
- Citation
- 22017839
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 22017839.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his lumbar spine and right hip disabilities due to a duty to assist error. The effective date for DEA benefits is granted as May 1, 2014.
- Granted
The Board has granted a rating of 20 percent for the Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, finding that it most nearly approximated moderate incomplete paralysis.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date and higher initial rating for his back disability is denied. The effective date remains March 29, 2021, as the earliest date of claim. An initial rating in excess of 20 percent for the back disability from March 29, 2021, is also denied.
- Granted
The Veteran's low back disability and right leg radiculopathy are granted service connection, but left leg radiculopathy is denied.
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