The Veteran's initial ratings for back disability, left and right sciatic nerve radiculopathy, and right femoral nerve radiculopathy have been denied as they do not meet the criteria for higher ratings under VA rating criteria.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not show that the Veteran's conditions warrant a higher rating based on the degree of impairment in motor function, trophic changes, or sensory disturbances.
- Claimed conditions
- Lumbar Spine Degenerative Disc Disease with Spondylosis (Back Disability), Radiculopathy of the Left Sciatic Nerve, Radiculopathy of the Right Sciatic Nerve, Radiculopathy of the Right Femoral Nerve
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- June 30, 2022
- Citation
- 22037803
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 22037803.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
PTSD rated at 50% effective January 21, 2020.,Right sciatic nerve and left sciatic nerve each rated at 10% prior to December 1, 2022. Both are now rated at 20% from December 1, 2022.,Radiculopathy of the right femoral nerve rated at 20% from December 1, 2022; radiculopathy of the left femoral nerve also rated at 20% from December 1, 2022.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected degenerative joint disease of the thoracolumbar spine and radiculopathy of the right sciatic nerve have been granted increased ratings.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected low back disability and radiculopathy of the sciatic nerves have been granted initial evaluations, with a focus on the lumbar spine and bilateral sciatica. The evaluations are effective from October 16, 2013.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's PTSD, lumbar spondylosis with radiculopathy of the right sciatic nerve, and bilateral hearing loss are all being remanded for further evaluation.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.