The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy is rated as 20 percent disabling, and his left lower extremity radiculopathy prior to July 7, 2022, is rated as 10 percent disabling. From July 7, 2022, the rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy is increased to 20 percent.,The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy is currently rated at 20 percent under Diagnostic Code 8520 (incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve). His left lower extremity radiculopathy prior to July 7, 2022, was rated as 10 percent under Diagnostic Codes 8620 and 8720 (neuralgia of the sciatic nerve), and from that date forward is rated at 20 percent.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not support a higher rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy, as it most closely approximates mild incomplete paralysis of the right sciatic nerve.,For left lower extremity radiculopathy prior to July 7, 2022, the Veteran's condition is rated at 10 percent under Diagnostic Codes 8620 and 8720 (neuralgia of the sciatic nerve). From that date forward, it is rated at 20 percent.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Lower Extremity Radiculopathy, Left Lower Extremity Radiculopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 20, 2023
- Citation
- 23051856
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 23051856.
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy are being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition, without considering the ameliorative effects of any medication he uses.
- Granted
The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy has been granted a 30 percent disability rating since November 29, 2021.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is likely due to his service-connected lumbar spine and radiculopathy conditions, with tramadol use possibly causing the condition by October 25, 2012. The effective date for ED will be remanded.,Due to the inextricably intertwined nature of the issues, including the need to determine if tramadol caused ED prior to August 30, 2013, the SMC issue is also remanded.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise, and therefore grants service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) as secondary to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and other service-connected conditions such as lumbar disc disease, right lower extremity radiculopathy, obstructive lung disease, and gastroesophageal reflux.
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