The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted due to the current evidence showing no more than moderate incomplete paralysis.,VA examinations for insomnia disorder, GERD, constipation, hemorrhoids, and scars of the back and hemorrhoids scars were conducted in May 2018. The Veteran's representative has indicated that her conditions have worsened since these exams.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not support a higher rating for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity due to no more than moderate incomplete paralysis.
- Claimed conditions
- Radiculopathy of right lower extremity, Insomnia disorder, Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), Constipation, Hemorrhoids, Scars of the back and hemorrhoids scars
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 9, 2024
- Citation
- 24001420
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,272 · Granted: 31% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 24001420.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal for service connection for Dupuytren's contracture of the left hand, right hand, and GERD is remanded due to inadequate VA examination opinions and failure to consider toxic exposure risk activities during service.
- Denied
The Veteran's GERD is currently rated at 10 percent disabling, but the Board found that his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), finding that both conditions are secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lower back condition and sinusitis, respectively.
- Denied
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