The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy is rated at 40 percent, and the remaining issues of service connection are remanded for further development.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence shows that the Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy has been manifested by symptoms such as some active movement against resistance on muscle strength testing (along with some normal muscle strength testing), mild to moderate pain, numbness and tingling with some decreased sensation, and deep tendon reflexes of the left ankle ranging from normal to absent. The Board finds that these findings most closely approximate a moderately severe level of impairment.
- Claimed conditions
- Left Lower Extremity Radiculopathy, Prostate Disorder (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia), Diabetes Mellitus, Heart Disorder, Peripheral Neuropathy of Bilateral Upper Extremities, Peripheral Neuropathy of Bilateral Lower Extremities
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- January 16, 2025
- Citation
- 25000599
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 275 · Granted: 33% (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 25000599.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's appeal was granted for various disabilities, including service connection for depressive disorder and increased evaluations for diabetic peripheral neuropathy affecting multiple nerve groups. A SMC based on need for aid and attendance was also awarded.
- Granted
The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy has been granted a 30 percent disability rating since November 29, 2021.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy are being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition, without considering the ameliorative effects of any medication he uses.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is likely due to his service-connected lumbar spine and radiculopathy conditions, with tramadol use possibly causing the condition by October 25, 2012. The effective date for ED will be remanded.,Due to the inextricably intertwined nature of the issues, including the need to determine if tramadol caused ED prior to August 30, 2013, the SMC issue is also remanded.
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