The Veteran's back disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy affecting the sciatic nerve, and right lower extremity radiculopathy affecting the femoral nerve have been granted initial ratings of 40%, 60%, and 30% respectively, effective August 12, 2013. The left lower extremity radiculopathy affecting the sciatic nerve and the left lower extremity radiculopathy affecting the femoral nerve are denied.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's back disability was found to have a range of forward flexion limited to 30 degrees or less, which approximates the level of impairment for a 40% rating. The right lower extremity radiculopathy affecting the sciatic nerve and the right lower extremity radiculopathy affecting the femoral nerve were found to meet the criteria for a 60% and 30% ratings respectively.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar degenerative disc disease with intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), status post laminectomy and lumbar fusion, right lower extremity radiculopathy affecting the sciatic nerve, right lower extremity radiculopathy affecting the femoral nerve, left lower extremity radiculopathy affecting the sciatic nerve, left lower extremity radiculopathy affecting the femoral nerve
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- July 13, 2023
- Citation
- 23038970
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 23038970.
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.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease and right lower extremity radiculopathy affecting the sciatic nerve, effective January 12, 2024. Attorney fees are eligible based on past due benefits awarded in this decision.
- Granted
The Veteran was granted a TDIU for the period from January 1, 2020 to September 30, 2023 due to service-connected disabilities preventing him from maintaining substantially gainful employment.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the claims of increased disability ratings and TDIU, including consideration of new private medical records.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy affecting the femoral nerve as secondary to his service-connected lumbosacral strain and degenerative disc disease.
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