The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbar spine DJD is denied. He currently receives a 40 percent disability rating, effective November 7, 2023.,The Veteran's sciatic radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities are each rated at 40 percent disabling, effective November 7, 2023.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran has unfavorable ankylosis or intervertebral disc syndrome requiring bed rest prescribed by a physician.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) of the Lumbar Spine, Sciatic Radiculopathy of the Left Lower Extremity, Sciatic Radiculopathy of the Right Lower Extent
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- August 6, 2024
- Citation
- A24044216
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation A24044216.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for restoration of Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits, Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU), and disability evaluations for Intervertebral Disc Syndrome (IVDS) and Sciatic Radiculopathy have been withdrawn. The Board has dismissed these claims.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for degenerative arthritis of the cervical and lumbar spine with IVDS, as well as radiculopathy in multiple extremities, have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation based on the severity of his disabilities.,The Veteran was granted 30 percent, 40 percent, and 20 percent evaluations for middle radicular group radiculopathy of the left upper extremity, right upper extremity, and lower extremities respectively. However, these evaluations are still denied as they do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's intervertebral disc syndrome, sciatic radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and sciatic radiculopathy of the right lower extremity have been granted increased ratings to 40 percent each.
- Whole decision: Granted
Service connection for PTSD is granted. Increased ratings are granted for IVDS with degenerative arthritis and vertebral fracture with bilateral thoracic radiculopathy of the ventral and dorsal ramus nerves, right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy, left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy, and left ankle pilon fracture residuals.
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