The Board denied a higher initial disability rating in excess of 40 percent for the service-connected back disorder and granted a separate compensable disability rating of 20 percent for left lower extremity sciatica from October 2, 2017 through May 5, 2022. The claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound status was also denied.
The deciding factor: The decision was based on the severity of the service-connected conditions as supported by medical evidence and examination reports during the relevant periods.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine with intervertebral disc syndrome (back disorder), Left lower extremity sciatica
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- January 8, 2024
- Citation
- 24001136
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for various conditions to correct a pre-decisional duty to assist error, including verifying in-service stressors and scheduling examinations.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for increased ratings and service connection, as well as remanded several new claims.
- Granted
The Board granted restoration of a separate 10 percent rating for residuals of a TBI, and restored the 10 percent disability evaluations for left and right lower extremity sciatica, as well as granting entitlement to a TDIU.
- Granted
The Board granted an initial rating of 40 percent for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and effective dates of May 19, 2011, for right and left lower extremity sciatica.
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