The Board denied increased ratings for radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities involving both femoral and sciatic nerves, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of symptoms.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found the Veteran's radiculopathy to be mild with no sensory, reflex, or motor changes, and the evidence throughout the period on appeal indicated average symptomatology warranting only a 10 percent rating under applicable criteria.
- Claimed conditions
- Radiculopathy of the left lower extremity involving the femoral nerve, Radiculopathy of the right lower extremity involving the femoral nerve, Radiculopathy of the left lower extremity involving the sciatic nerve, Radiculopathy of the right lower extremity involving the sciatic nerve
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 18, 2024
- Citation
- A24066974
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a rating of 30 percent for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity involving the femoral nerve, but denied increased ratings for radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities involving the sciatic nerve.
- Partly granted
The Board granted earlier effective dates for the grants of service connection for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities, as well as an initial 40 percent rating for recurrent lumbar strain with degenerative arthritis of the spine from July 9, 2004. The claim for service connection for sexual dysfunction was remanded.
- Partly granted
The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's lumbar spine, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right knee disabilities but granted a 20 percent rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, effective from the date of the February 2025 rating decision.
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