The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative arthritis is granted a rating of 40 percent effective February 28, 2020. Ratings for right and left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy and femoral radiculopathy are denied.
The deciding factor: The evidence shows that the Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative arthritis more nearly approximated manifestation of 30 degrees or less forward flexion, which meets the criteria for a 40 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 5243 (IVDS). Ratings for right and left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy and femoral radiculopathy were denied as they did not meet the criteria for higher ratings.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy, left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy, right lower extremity femoral radiculopathy, left lower extremity femoral radiculopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- December 14, 2023
- Citation
- A23035932
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 A23035932.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has found the eligibility determination for PCAFC enrollment to be legally inadequate and remanded for a new medical opinion that adequately addresses the criteria for eligibility as set forth in VA regulations.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and DDD, as well as right and left lower extremity radiculopathy secondary to the now service-connected lumbar spine condition. The decision is based on a finding of relative equipoise in the evidence regarding whether these conditions are related to service.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for right foot disability status post Mitchell's bunionectomy is granted with an effective date of July 25, 2023.,The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for left foot disability status post Mitchell's bunionectomy is dismissed as it does not meet the criteria for an earlier effective date.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis as secondary to bilateral pes planus due to inadequate medical opinions and lack of contemporaneous medical records.
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