The Board granted a 40 percent rating for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity (sciatic nerve) from October 25, 2019, but denied ratings in excess of 20 percent and 40 percent for the femoral and sciatic nerves, respectively.
The deciding factor: The severity of the Veteran's radiculopathy was found to be moderate throughout the appeal period, with no evidence of severe incomplete paralysis or muscle atrophy that would warrant higher ratings under applicable criteria.
- Claimed conditions
- Radiculopathy of the left lower extremity (femoral nerve), Radiculopathy of the left lower extremity (sciatic nerve)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 8, 2024
- Citation
- 24001105
What this means for you
A partial grant means some issues were granted while others were denied or remanded — common in multi-issue claims. Look at which issues went which way, and how each was argued.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Partly granted
The Board denied several claims for increased ratings and service connection, granted initial evaluations of 20 percent for radiculopathy in the left and right lower extremities, and dismissed a claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction.
- Dismissed
The appeal for increased ratings and earlier effective dates for various conditions, including radiculopathy of the right upper extremity, left lower extremity (femoral nerve), obstructive sleep apnea, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, and migraine headaches, was dismissed. The Board also remanded claims for initial disability ratings.
- Granted
The Board granted earlier effective dates for the awards of service connection for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy and a total disability rating due to individual unemployability, assigning them from August 15, 2021.
- Partly granted
The Board granted earlier effective dates for the increased 20 percent ratings for radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities (sciatic nerve) but denied earlier effective dates for service connection for radiculopathy involving both femoral nerves, as well as for chemical pneumonia and Dietl's crisis.
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