The Veteran's lumbar strain with degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine is rated at 20 percent, but not higher.,The Veteran's left lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy is rated at 40 percent.,The Veteran's right lower extremity femoral nerve radiculopathy is rated at 30 percent.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as there is no ankylosis of the thoracolumbar spine or forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine less than 30 degrees.,The evidence shows moderate to severe incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve, warranting a 40 percent rating.,The evidence shows moderate incomplete paralysis of the femoral nerve, warranting a 30 percent rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Lumbar Strain, Left Lower Extremity Sciatic Nerve Radiculopathy, Right Lower Extremity Femoral Nerve Radiculopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- August 13, 2024
- Citation
- A24046405
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 A24046405.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's initial ratings for left lower extremity (LLE) radiculopathy, sciatic nerve and femoral nerve have been granted at a 20 percent level.
- Denied
The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensable prior to August 19, 2024 and at a 20% rating since that date.,The Veteran's depressive disorder is rated as 30% prior to December 1, 2022 and at a 40% rating since that date.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated as 20% prior to December 1, 2022 and at a 40% rating since that date.,The Veteran's left lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy is rated as 10% prior to August 3, 2024 and at a 20% rating since that date.,The Veteran's right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy is rated as 10% prior to August 3, 2024 and at a 20% rating since that date.,The Veteran's left lower extremity femoral nerve radiculopathy is rated as 20% since August 3, 2024.,The Veteran's right ankle disability is rated as 10% prior to August 27, 2024 and at a 20% rating since that date.
- Granted
The Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder, hearing loss, and tinnitus are all granted service connection.,Service connection for GERD is also granted as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected generalized anxiety disorder.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected conditions were granted increased ratings, and attorney fees are awarded for past-due benefits resulting from these decisions.
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