The Board denied higher staged ratings for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, right and left lower extremity radiculopathies, and knee disabilities. However, it granted a 20 percent rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve effective January 9, 2017.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was at worst manifested by forward flexion to 45 degrees prior to July 12, 2023, and flexion to 30 degrees therefrom. The record did not show episodes of IVDS requiring bedrest, and did not show ankylosis or the functional equivalent thereof.
- Claimed conditions
- Lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with arthritis, Right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, Right lower extremity radiculopathy of the femoral nerve, Right lower extremity radiculopathy of the external cutaneous nerve, Left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, Left lower extremity radiculopathy of the femoral nerve, Limited extension of the right knee, Limited extension of the left knee, Right knee instability, Left knee instability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 24, 2024
- Citation
- 24003618
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 granted a separate 10 percent rating for right knee instability but denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative arthritis of the right knee.
- 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 a 30 percent rating for right knee instability and a 20 percent rating for painful and/or limited motion of the right knee, but denied a higher rating for degenerative arthritis of the right knee.
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