The rating reduction for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity sciatic nerve was improper, and the Veteran's disability rating is restored to 20 percent effective December 20, 2016. The cases regarding degenerative disc disease L5-S1 with history of herniated disc status post surgery, right lower extremity radiculopathy sciatic nerve, and left lower extremity radiculopathy sciatic nerve are remanded for further evaluation.
The deciding factor: The reduction in the disability rating was improper due to lack of sustained improvement or improvement in ability to function under ordinary conditions of life and work.
- Claimed conditions
- radiculopathy of the left lower extremity sciatic nerve, degenerative disc disease L5-S1 with history of herniated disc, status post surgery, right lower extremity radiculopathy sciatic nerve, left lower extremity radiculopathy sciatic nerve
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- October 25, 2022
- Citation
- 22059875
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 22059875.
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.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to August 31, 2017, for the award of service connection for lumbosacral strain (back disorder) was denied as a matter of law.,Claims for left lower extremity radiculopathy and right lower extremity radiculopathy were also denied with effective dates set at July 12, 2021.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected traumatic arthritis of the spine with degenerative disc disease, IVDS, spinal stenosis, and disc herniation is rated at 40 percent. The effective date for this rating remains pending as it was granted in a September 2023 decision.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremity sciatic nerve as secondary to service-connected lumbar disability, and for left knee strain. The Veteran's claims are remanded for additional examinations and opinions regarding chronic fatigue with memory loss (CFS) and right knee disability.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound status was denied because the evidence did not show he required regular aid and assistance due to his service-connected disabilities, nor was he permanently bedridden. The Board found that while the Veteran had difficulty with medication management and some activities, he could still bathe/shower, eat, dress, etc., without assistance.
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