The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for radiculopathy involving the sciatic and femoral nerves of both lower extremities have been denied as his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent.,There is no evidence indicating that the Veteran's radiculopathy involves the femoral nerve prior to October 24, 2022.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations conducted during the appeal period did not indicate any findings indicative of more than moderate incomplete paralysis for each of the bilateral lower extremities. The symptoms were specifically characterized as moderate intermittent pain, moderate numbness, and moderate paresthesias and/or dysesthesias.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Lower Extremity Radiculopathy involving the Sciatic Nerve, Left Lower Extremity Radiculopathy involving the Sciatic Nerve, Right Lower Extremity Radiculopathy involving the Femoral Nerve, Left Lower Extremity Radiculopathy involving the Femoral Nerve
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 8, 2024
- Citation
- 24006953
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 24006953.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition, including PTSD, is granted a 70 percent rating for the entire appeal period. Service connection for low back disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy involving the sciatic nerve are also granted. TDIU is granted.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that additional examinations and records are needed to properly assess the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, as well as his entitlement to SMC at the housebound rate. The issues of increased ratings for these conditions and SMC will be remanded.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar myositis, psychoneurosis and conversion hysteria, residuals of shrapnel wounds of the left thigh and pelvis with retained foreign bodies and scars, and residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right thigh and left leg. The veteran was also denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected coronary artery disease, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of his condition.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.