The Veteran's lumbar DDD is now rated at 30 percent effective April 15, 2022. His LLE radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve is rated at 20 percent effective April 15, 2022.,Beginning May 9, 2023, the Veteran has been granted SMC based on statutory housebound criteria due to having a service-connected disability rated as total and additional separate and distinct service-connected disabilities ratable at 60 percent or more.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found that the Veteran's lumbar DDD manifested in muscle spasm and/or guarding resulting in an abnormal gait, which resulted in additional functional loss caused by pain, weakness, fatigability, and pain on movement. The LLE radiculopathy most closely approximated moderate incomplete paralysis.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar degenerative disk disease (DDD), lower left extremity (LLE) radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- September 12, 2024
- Citation
- A24055468
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 A24055468.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lower back disability as secondary to his right knee degenerative arthritis and right ankle sprain, finding that there was no medical relationship between these conditions.
- Granted
The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for lumbar degenerative disk disease and depression due to new and material evidence. The claim is granted as there is current disability, in-service incurrence, and a nexus between the disabilities.
- Granted
The Veteran's lumbar DDD was granted a 40% evaluation effective October 14, 2008. He also received a separate 10% rating for left leg radiculopathy effective July 2, 2009.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar myositis, psychoneurosis and conversion hysteria, residuals of shrapnel wounds of the left thigh and pelvis with retained foreign bodies and scars, and residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right thigh and left leg. The veteran was also denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.