The Veteran was granted a staged initial rating of 20 percent and no higher for sciatic radiculopathy of the right lower extremity prior to August 10, 2016, and 40 percent from that date. The same ratings were also granted for the left lower extremity.

The deciding factor: The Veteran's radiculopathy was found to be moderately severe incomplete paralysis, warranting a 40 percent rating from August 10, 2016, and moderate incomplete paralysis prior to that date, warranting a 20 percent rating.

Claimed conditions

Sciatic radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, Sciatic radiculopathy of the left lower extremity

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

40%

Decision date

February 20, 2025

Citation

25002457

Want to see how appeals like this one tend to go? Appeals like mine