The Veteran's initial ratings for his thoracolumbar spine and left lower extremity disabilities were denied, with the exception of a separate 20 percent rating granted for left lower extremity femoral nerve impairment.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine or Diagnostic Code 5243 (for radiculopathy).
- Claimed conditions
- multilevel degenerative disc disease lumbar spine, left sciatic nerve radiculopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- March 16, 2023
- Citation
- 23015968
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 23015968.
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the requirements for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 because he was not continuously rated totally disabled for a period of 10 or more years immediately preceding his death.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal of proposed reductions in ratings for his service-connected back disability and right sciatic nerve radiculopathy is dismissed. The claim of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for left sciatic nerve radiculopathy is remanded.
- Denied
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left and right sciatic nerve radiculopathy were denied as the evidence did not warrant an initial rating in excess of 10 percent.
- Denied
The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates prior to January 27, 2006, for service connection of bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy were denied as there was no claim filed before that date.,The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates prior to January 30, 2004, for service connection of bilateral sciatic nerve radiculopathy were denied as there was no claim filed before that date.,The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates prior to September 29, 2021, for service connection of bilateral femoral nerve radiculopathy were denied as the conditions were not diagnosed or claimed until then.
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