The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease is rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum rating available under VA regulations.,For the period prior to January 14, 2020, the Veteran's right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy is rated at 10 percent. For the period beginning on January 14, 2020, it is rated at 20 percent.,The Veteran's left lower extremity sciatic and femoral radiculopathies are each rated at 10 percent.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not support a higher rating for the lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, as the flexion of the thoracolumbar spine was limited to 45 degrees with pain and moderate radicular pain during flare-ups. The Veteran's symptoms do not meet the criteria for an increased rating.,For the period prior to January 14, 2020, the Veteran's right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy is rated at 10 percent as it was of a mild severity. For the period beginning on January 14, 2020, it is rated at 20 percent as it was of a moderate severity.,The Veteran's left lower extremity sciatic and femoral radiculopathies are each rated at 10 percent.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, 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
- 20%
- Decision date
- September 28, 2023
- Citation
- 23054200
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 23054200.
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, as there are insufficient medical opinions and records. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further development.
- 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.
- Denied
The Veteran's initial rating for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease was denied, and his claims for right knee, left knee, right hand, left hand, GERD, neck disability, and bilateral hearing loss were also denied. The effective date of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was granted on December 14, 2022.
- Dismissed
The appeal for service connection of left knee condition, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, left hip osteoarthritis, and right hip osteoarthritis is dismissed due to lack of jurisdiction over the August 2021 rating decision. Service connection for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, left hip osteoarthritis, and right hip osteoarthritis are granted.
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