For the rating period from December 3, 2012 to September 26, 2018 and from September 26, 2018 forward, an increased disability rating of 40 percent for the lumbar spine disability is granted.,For the initial rating period from May 6, 2015 to September 26, 2018, a higher initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy is denied.,For the initial rating period from May 6, 2015 to September 26, 2018, a higher initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for right lower extremity femoral nerve radiculopathy is denied.,For the initial rating period from September 26, 2018 forward, a higher (compensable) initial rating for right lower extremity femoral nerve radiculopathy is denied.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's lumbar spine disability has more nearly approximated pain and limitation of forward flexion limited to 30 degrees with IVDS having at least 4 weeks but less than 6 weeks of incapacitating episodes during the past 12 months.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease (lumbar spine disability), right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy, right lower extremity femoral nerve radiculopathy, left lower extremity femoral nerve radiculopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- August 8, 2022
- Citation
- 22044677
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 22044677.
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 determined that there are pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors in the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral lower extremity femoral nerve radiculopathy, and thus remands the case to obtain addendum medical opinions.
- Granted
The Board has granted earlier effective dates of February 24, 2023 for the Veteran's 20% ratings for left and right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy and his entitlement to TDIU.
- Granted
The Board has restored the Veteran's original disability ratings of 40 percent for his right and left lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy, effective April 1, 2021.
- Granted
The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and right lower extremity femoral nerve radiculopathy are granted as service-connected, with the effective date being January 24, 2023.
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