The Veteran's low back disability was initially rated as 10 percent disabling prior to September 21, 2015. The RO granted a 20 percent rating effective from September 21, 2015.,For the period from January 31, 2013 to August 28, 2017, the Veteran's right leg radiculopathy was rated as 10 percent disabling. From August 28, 2017 onwards, it was rated as 20 percent disabling.,For the period from December 2, 2013 to August 28, 2017, the Veteran's left leg radiculopathy was rated as 10 percent disabling. From August 28, 2017 onwards, it was rated as 20 percent disabling.,The Board denied entitlement to a TDIU prior to August 23, 2016.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's disability ratings were based on the severity of his symptoms and functional impairment. The RO granted increased ratings for certain periods but denied others due to lack of evidence supporting higher ratings.
- Claimed conditions
- spondylosis bony ankylosis in a favorable position of the lumbar spine with intervertebral disc syndrome (previously rated as spondylosis bony ankylosis in favorable position of lumbar spine under DC 5237) (low back disability), right lower extremity (sciatic nerve) radiculopathy, right lower extremity (femoral nerve) radiculopathy, left lower extremity (sciatic nerve) radiculopathy, left lower extremity (femoral nerve) radiculopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 26, 2024
- Citation
- 24012738
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 24012738.
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 erectile dysfunction is granted as secondary to his service-connected hypertension. The initial rating for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine prior to April 30, 2024, remains denied. A 10 percent rating is granted for right lower extremity (femoral nerve) radiculopathy from April 30, 2024.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy, as there was no evidence or assertion that would reasonably raise a claim for right leg radiculopathy out of another claim that was pending at the time.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for right upper extremity neuropathy, to include as secondary to a right elbow condition and denied increased ratings for the Veteran's service-connected disabilities. The Board also remanded several claims for further development.
- Partly granted
The Board denied an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for right lower extremity (femoral nerve) radiculopathy and granted a 20 percent rating, but no higher, for the same condition. The Board also denied a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD with depressive disorder, alcohol and cocaine dependence.
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.