The Veteran's radiculopathies of the left and right lower extremities have been granted increased ratings, with the highest rating (40%) being awarded for both conditions since February 16, 2022.
The deciding factor: The evidence shows that the Veteran's radiculopathy has progressively worsened, resulting in moderate to severe incomplete paralysis of the sciatic and femoral nerves, warranting the highest ratings available under Diagnostic Codes 8520 and 8526 respectively.
- Claimed conditions
- Left lower extremity radiculopathy, sciatic nerve, Right lower extremity radiculopathy, sciatic nerve, Left lower extremity radiculopathy, femoral nerve (femoral nerve), Right lower extremity radiculopathy, femoral nerve (femoral nerve)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- November 1, 2022
- Citation
- 22061061
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 22061061.
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 right lower extremity radiculopathy, sciatic nerve associated with unstable back syndrome with degenerative changes (to include spinal stenosis, intervertebral disc syndrome) is currently rated at 10 percent.,The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy, sciatic nerve associated with unstable back syndrome with degenerative changes (to include spinal stenosis, intervertebral disc syndrome) is currently rated at 10 percent.
- Denied
The Veteran's initial ratings for degenerative disc disease with spinal stenosis and disc bulge, right lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve), and right lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral nerve) have been denied.,The Veteran's back disability is rated at 10 percent due to limitations in range of motion. The claim for an increased rating was denied.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to concurrent elections of review options.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the severity of the Veteran's lumbar spine and lower extremity radiculopathy conditions, including during flare-ups and after repetitive use over time.
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