The Veteran's claims for higher disability ratings for lower back and right lower extremity radiculopathy have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating higher than 20 percent for both conditions.
The deciding factor: The evidence showed that the Veteran’s lumbar spine disability was limited to forward flexion of 50 degrees, which warranted a 20 percent rating under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine. For right lower extremity radiculopathy, the evidence did not show any episodes of acute signs and symptoms due to IVDS that required bed rest, thus precluding evaluation under the Formula for Rating Intervertebral Disc Syndrome Based on Incapacitating Episodes.
- Claimed conditions
- Lower Back Disability, Right Lower Extremity Radiculopathy (Sciatic Nerve)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- April 25, 2024
- Citation
- 24017746
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 24017746.
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 40 percent, and his left and right lower extremity radiculopathy are each rated at 40 percent. The issues of increased ratings for these conditions have been granted.
- Granted
The Veteran's left and right lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve) have been granted increased disability ratings of 20 percent, effective April 22, 2024.,The Veteran's left and right lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve) have been granted increased disability ratings of 20 percent, effective April 22, 2024.
- Granted
The Veteran's initial ratings for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and radiculopathies of both lower extremities have been granted, with effective dates from December 3, 2020, to October 7, 2024.
- Denied
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for PVD, denied service connection for GERD, right knee disability, and lower back disability, and dismissed the claim of service connection for tinnitus due to lack of appealable final decision.
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