The Veteran's ratings for left lower femoral nerve radiculopathy, right lower femoral nerve radiculopathy, degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine with intervertebral disc syndrome, and right lower sciatic nerve radiculopathy were improperly reduced. The reductions are now reinstated.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy affecting the sciatic nerve is denied.
The deciding factor: VA did not provide proper notice of the proposed reduction, which was required by VA regulations. As a result, the reductions were improper and have been reinstated.,The Veteran's radiculopathy affects only sensory function without any motor or reflex impairment. The Board found that the disability is no more than 'mild' incomplete paralysis.
- Claimed conditions
- left lower femoral nerve radiculopathy, right lower femoral nerve radiculopathy, degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine with intervertebral disc syndrome, right lower sciatic nerve radiculopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 13, 2023
- Citation
- 23066086
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 23066086.
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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeal, effectively dismissing the case.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for increased disability ratings for thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis, left lower femoral nerve radiculopathy, and bilateral sciatic nerve radiculopathies due to inadequate VA examinations.
- Granted
The Board granted an initial rating of more than 10 percent for both the right and left lower sciatic nerve radiculopathy, effective from August 2023.
- Denied
The Board denied earlier effective dates for the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back condition and bilateral lower sciatic nerve radiculopathy, as the appropriate effective date is June 14, 2023, the date of his Supplemental Claim.
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