The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint disease and lumbosacral degenerative disc disease, but granted an effective date of March 8, 2020, for the grant of service connection for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral nerve) and sciatic nerve).
The deciding factor: The evidence did not support a rating in excess of 20 percent due to insufficient limitation of motion or other disabling factors. However, there was a factually ascertainable increase in disability within the one-year period preceding the March 8, 2021, claim for increased compensation.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint disease and lumbosacral degenerative disc disease, left lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral nerve), right lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral nerve), left lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve), right lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- October 18, 2024
- Citation
- A24067066
What this means for you
A partial grant means some issues were granted while others were denied or remanded — common in multi-issue claims. Look at which issues went which way, and how each was argued.
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 separate 10 percent rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral nerve) effective from August 14, 2013, but denied higher initial ratings for the sciatic nerve.
- Partly granted
The Board denied service connection for dermatochalasis, meibomian gland dysfunction, and blepharitis. The claims for lumbosacral strain, left lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve), right shoulder tendinopathy, diabetes, and prostate cancer with urinary incontinence status-post prostatectomy were remanded.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for an increased initial rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve), finding that his symptoms were no worse than mild incomplete paralysis.
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed the veteran's appeals for initial compensable ratings and TDIU, but readjudicated a previously denied service connection claim for ischemic heart disease.
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.