The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's back disability and right lower extremity radiculopathies, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating under applicable criteria.
The deciding factor: The evidence of record did not show the necessary degree of impairment to warrant a higher rating under the relevant diagnostic codes.
- Claimed conditions
- Back disability (lumbosacral strain), Right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, Right lower extremity radiculopathy of the obturator nerve
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 2, 2024
- Citation
- 24000068
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.
- Partly granted
The Veteran was granted a 40% rating for his low back condition and a 60% rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, while other claims were denied.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's appeals for increased ratings and remanded certain issues, including TDIU and SMC.
- Partly granted
The Board granted restoration of 20 percent ratings for left and right lower extremity radiculopathies of the sciatic and femoral nerves, but denied increased ratings in excess of 20 percent. The Board also remanded service connection for prostate cancer and a rating increase for low back strain.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to incomplete evidence, including a need for additional VA examinations.
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