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Denied

The Veteran's claim for a greater than 40 percent rating for his lumbar degenerative disc disease with herniated disc stats-post laminectomy and microdiscectomy of the L5-S1 was denied. A 60 percent rating for left lower extremity foot drop and left lower extremity radiculopathy involving S-1 nerve is granted from May 15, 2017. The Veteran's claim for a greater than 10 percent rating for right lower extremity neuropathy due to lumbar degenerative disc disease was denied.

The deciding factor: The evidence did not meet the criteria for an increased rating under DCs 4.71a and DC 5243, as there was no ankylosis of the spine or IVDS.

Claimed conditions
lumbar degenerative disc disease with herniated disc stats-post laminectomy and microdiscectomy of the L5-S1, right lower extremity neuropathy due to lumbar degenerative disc disease, left lower extremity foot drop and left lower extremity radiculopathy involving S-1 nerve
How they argued it
Direct service connection
Exposure basis
None
Rating assigned
40%
Decision date
April 10, 2024
Citation
24015554

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 24015554.

What this means for you

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