The Veteran's initial evaluations for DJD of the lumbar spine and radiculopathy of both lower extremities have been denied as they do not meet the criteria for higher ratings under VA rating criteria.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's disability does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation based on the severity of his degenerative joint disease (DJD) of the lumbar spine and radiculopathy, which are rated according to their specific diagnostic codes without reference to ankylosis or IVDS.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) of the lumbar spine, Radiculopathy of the right lower extremity (femoral nerve), Radiculopathy of the left lower extremity (femoral nerve)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 4, 2024
- Citation
- A24080607
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation A24080607.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board denied several claims for increased ratings and service connection, granted initial evaluations of 20 percent for radiculopathy in the left and right lower extremities, and dismissed a claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The appeal for increased ratings and earlier effective dates for various conditions, including radiculopathy of the right upper extremity, left lower extremity (femoral nerve), obstructive sleep apnea, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, and migraine headaches, was dismissed. The Board also remanded claims for initial disability ratings.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board granted earlier effective dates for the increased 20 percent ratings for radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities (sciatic nerve) but denied earlier effective dates for service connection for radiculopathy involving both femoral nerves, as well as for chemical pneumonia and Dietl's crisis.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied entitlement to higher ratings for the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine and lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities, but granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability from April 22 to April 30, 2015.
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