The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for left lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve) due to moderate incomplete paralysis, finding that the Veteran's symptoms did not meet criteria for a higher rating.
The deciding factor: The evidence showed mild intermittent pain and numbness but no muscle atrophy or severe impairment as required for higher ratings.
- Claimed conditions
- left lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- December 6, 2024
- Citation
- 24033957
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 24033957.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with IVDS and associated radiculopathies of the left and right lower extremities are granted at a 40 percent rating prior to December 27, 2023, and denied for ratings in excess of this level from that date.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for service-connected left and right lower extremity radiculopathy are being remanded due to a scheduling error.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been dismissed. The Board has also remanded the case to obtain VA examinations and opinions regarding the etiology of his claimed disabilities.
- Granted
An effective date of December 4, 2017, but no earlier, is granted for the grant of service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral nerve) and left lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve). An initial evaluation higher than 20 percent for these conditions is denied.,An effective date of December 4, 2017, but no earlier, is granted for the grant of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on housebound criteria. An earlier effective date for service connection for low back disability is denied.
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