The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve were denied as there was not sufficient evidence to support a finding that the symptoms were more than mild at any time during the period on appeal.
The deciding factor: The VA examiners found the severity of the Veteran's right and left lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy to be mild incomplete paralysis, which does not meet the criteria for higher ratings under DC 8520.
- Claimed conditions
- Incomplete paralysis of the right sciatic nerve, Incomplete paralysis of the left sciatic nerve
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 22, 2023
- Citation
- 23052524
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 23052524.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board granted an initial 40 percent rating for incomplete paralysis of the left sciatic nerve and denied a higher rating, while remanding service connection for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for intervertebral disc syndrome and sciatic nerve paralysis, finding that the evidence did not support higher ratings under applicable criteria.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right and left sciatic nerves is rated at 40 percent since October 28, 2019.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied entitlement to separate service connection for a right foot disability and an increased rating for incomplete paralysis of the right sciatic nerve with contracture, flexion of right knee. The Veteran's death prevented any further consideration of these claims.
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