The Veteran's service-connected thoracolumbar spine IVDS and degenerative arthritis, right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy, left lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy, femoral radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities, and PTSD with dysthymia have been granted. The Veteran's service-connected thoracolumbar spine IVDS and degenerative arthritis are rated at 40 percent from March 17, 2020.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's disability picture more nearly approximated the criteria for a 40 percent rating based on the severity of his symptoms and functional impairment as determined by VA examination and medical records.
- Claimed conditions
- Thoracolumbar spine intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), Degenerative arthritis, Right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, Left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, Femoral radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities, PTSD with dysthymia
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- April 29, 2024
- Citation
- 24018117
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 24018117.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability is being remanded due to duty-to-assist errors and the need for a VA examination.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for the lumbar spine disability prior to October 11, 2022 and since December 1, 2022. The Veteran's claim is currently rated at 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 5242.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis and a lumbosacral strain, is at least as likely as not related to his active service. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.
- Granted
The Board has granted a rating of 20 percent for the Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, finding that it most nearly approximated moderate incomplete paralysis.
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