The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy was denied increased ratings, with the exception of a 20 percent rating for both legs as of December 12, 2020.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show that the Veteran's radiculopathy had worsened to severe or complete paralysis at any point during the appeal period.
- Claimed conditions
- Femoral nerve radiculopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- October 12, 2023
- Citation
- 23055795
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 23055795.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
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 remanded the claims for a retrospective opinion to determine when and how severe the Veteran's sciatic and femoral nerve radiculopathy is, as well as which nerves are affected.
- Granted
The Veteran's femoral nerve radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is granted a 20 percent disability rating, effective March 8, 2023. The Veteran's sciatic nerve radiculopathy of the left lower extremity remains at a 10 percent disability rating.
- Granted
The Veteran's right ankle fracture has been granted increased ratings from September 30, 2008 to April 7, 2019 (10% rating) and from April 8, 2019 onwards (20% rating).,Increased ratings have also been granted for sciatic nerve radiculopathy in the right lower extremity from September 30, 2008 to June 14, 2016 (10% rating) and from June 15, 2016 onwards (10% rating).,Increased ratings have also been granted for sciatic nerve radiculopathy in the left lower extremity from September 30, 2008 to June 14, 2016 (10% rating) and from June 15, 2016 onwards (10% rating).,Increased ratings have also been granted for femoral nerve radiculopathy in the right lower extremity from March 12, 2012 to April 11, 2021 (10% rating) and from April 12, 2021 onwards (20% rating).
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for a restoration of the 10 percent evaluation for femoral nerve radiculopathy and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for sciatic nerve radiculopathy is granted. The claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and for a higher rating since January 22, 2020 are remanded.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.