The Veteran's initial evaluations for right and left lower extremity radiculopathies of the femoral, internal popliteal, sciatic nerves, and major depressive disorder have been granted. The Veteran is also remanded for further evaluation regarding his lumbar spine disability.
The deciding factor: The objective medical evidence consistently indicated mild to moderate incomplete paralysis in both nerve groups, which does not meet the criteria for higher evaluations under the applicable diagnostic codes.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Lower Extremity Radiculopathy of the Femoral Nerve, Left Lower Extremity Radiculopathy of the Internal Popliteal Nerve, Right Lower Extremity Sciatica, Left Lower Extremity Radiculopathy of the Sciatic Nerve, Major Depressive Disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- October 3, 2024
- Citation
- A24063308
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 793 · Granted: 28% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 A24063308.
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.
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The Veteran's major depressive disorder is found to be caused by his service-connected low back and radiculopathy disabilities, which prevent him from doing enjoyable activities and daily living tasks.
- Remanded (sent back)
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- Granted
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- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for a 70 percent disability rating for his psychiatric disorder, including PTSD with MDD and anxiety, has been granted. However, the issue of entitlement to Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) is remanded due to procedural issues.
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