The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is rated at 10 percent since June 1, 2020.,PTSD with alcohol abuse and TBI was granted an initial rating of 70 percent effective December 1, 2014.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is rated at 10 percent since June 1, 2020 due to mild incomplete paralysis.,PTSD with alcohol abuse and TBI was granted an initial rating of 70 percent effective December 1, 2014 because it caused suicidal thoughts.
- Claimed conditions
- Radiculopathy of the Right Lower Extremity (RLE), Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) with alcohol abuse and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 17, 2023
- Citation
- 23002888
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 23002888.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity and a separate 20 percent rating for left knee instability, while denying increased ratings for both knees.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination of his lumbar conditions, including radiculopathy. The TDIU claim prior to May 26, 2021, remains on hold as it is inextricably intertwined with the increased rating claims.
- Granted
The Veteran's OSA is granted secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The Veteran's radiculopathy of the RLE associated with thoracolumbar strain is granted a 10 percent rating throughout the appeal period.
- Granted
The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy have been granted increased ratings, with the lumbar spine receiving a 40% rating since October 17, 2016, and the radiculopathies receiving 20% ratings for RLE and LLE prior to February 6, 2020.
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