The Veteran's claims for increased ratings prior to April 27, 2021 were denied as his radiculopathy of the femoral and sciatic nerves did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.
The deciding factor: The September 2018 VA examination showed normal muscle strength and no atrophy in the left lower extremity, with normal sensory examination. The Veteran's symptoms prior to April 27, 2021 were deemed insufficient to warrant a higher rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Radiculopathy of the femoral nerve, Radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 17, 2022
- Citation
- 22064535
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 22064535.
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.
- Denied
The Veteran's initial ratings for RLE and LLE radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve were reduced from 40% to 20%, but these reductions are void ab initio. The Veteran's initial ratings for RLE and LLE radiculopathy of the femoral nerves remain at 20%. Initial higher ratings for both conditions are denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for earlier effective dates for radiculopathy of the femoral and sciatic nerves due to a duty to assist error by the AOJ.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeals for restoration of a 60 percent rating for DDD of the lumbar spine and increased ratings for bilateral lower radiculopathy of the femoral and sciatic nerves.
- Granted
The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right sciatic nerve was granted a 20% disability rating effective June 20, 2022. The Veteran's anterior crural (femoral) nerve paralysis and right lower ilio-inguinal nerve paralysis were denied increased ratings.
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