The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, as well as his back disability, were denied. The criteria for a rating greater than 20 percent for the right and left lower extremities prior to March 10, 2022, and after March 10, 2022, are not met. For the back disability, the criteria for a rating greater than 40 percent are also not met.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's disabilities did not meet or approximate the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable VA rating criteria.
- Claimed conditions
- Right lower extremity radiculopathy, Left lower extremity radiculopathy, Degenerative joint disease thoracic spine (back disability)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- July 29, 2022
- Citation
- 22043238
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 22043238.
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.
- Granted
The Board has granted effective dates of July 10, 2024 for service connection for PTSD, lumbar strain, and left lower extremity radiculopathy.
- Denied
The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy was evaluated at a 20 percent rating, and the Board found that it did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew the claims for psychiatric disability and sleep apnea.,Service connection was granted for right lower extremity radiculopathy and left lower extremity radiculopathy secondary to a service-connected back disability, but denied for right wrist disability.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for degenerative disc disease prior to August 1, 2025 was denied as the evidence did not show unfavorable ankylosis of the thoracolumbar spine.,The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy prior to March 10, 2025 were denied as there is no neurological impairment associated with these conditions.
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