The Board granted a 40 percent rating for the service-connected low back disability before September 18, 2020, and denied ratings in excess of 40 percent from that date. The claims for increased ratings for left lower extremity sciatica and right lower extremity radiculopathy were also denied.

The deciding factor: The Board found the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of the Veteran's symptoms during the relevant periods, as they did not meet or more nearly approximate the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable diagnostic codes.

Claimed conditions

Low back disability, Left lower extremity sciatica, Right lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral nerve), Left lower extremity femoral nerve radiculopathy, Left lower extremity internal saphenous nerve radiculopathy, Left lower extremity obturator nerve radiculopathy, Left lower extremity external cutaneous nerve radiculopathy, Left lower extremity ilio-inguinal nerve radiculopathy

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

None in this decision

Decision date

March 27, 2025

Citation

25004218

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