The Board has restored the previously assigned 20 percent ratings for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, effective December 1, 2022. The rating for lumbar degenerative changes with low back strain remains unchanged. TDIU prior to March 7, 2016, and special monthly compensation at the housebound rate are remanded.
The deciding factor: The August 2022 spine examination report did not establish an actual decrease in disability for the Veteran's bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy when compared with her prior examination reports that warranted the assignment of 20 percent ratings.
- Claimed conditions
- left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, lumbar degenerative changes with low back strain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- November 21, 2022
- Citation
- 22065182
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 22065182.
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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals were dismissed due to the death of the appellant. The issues related to service connection for various conditions and disability ratings.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy and denied the claims for right knee disability, erectile dysfunction, GERD, sleep apnea, and hypertension. The decision is remanded for further action on these issues.
- Granted
The Board has granted earlier effective dates for the grant of service connection for middle and index trigger finger/stenosing tenosynovitis of the right hand, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy. The earliest effective date is June 30, 2012, for the right hand condition and April 22, 2016, for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy.
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