The Veteran was granted a disability evaluation of 40 percent for degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine, right sciatic radiculopathy, and left sciatic radiculopathy, as well as TDIU.
The deciding factor: The evidence showed significant functional loss due to pain and limited range of motion in the lumbar spine and bilateral lower extremities, warranting a 40 percent evaluation for each condition during the relevant period.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine, Right sciatic radiculopathy, Left sciatic radiculopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- May 19, 2025
- Citation
- 25006746
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.
- Partly granted
The Board granted an effective date of March 27, 2020, for the grant of service connection for IVDS with spondylosis and denied earlier effective dates for left and right sciatic radiculopathy. The Board also denied increased ratings for IVDS with spondylosis and sciatic radiculopathies and granted a TDIU from June 1, 2020.
- Partly granted
The Board granted an earlier effective date of September 1, 2016, for the 40 percent rating assigned for degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine and denied a rating in excess of 40 percent.
- Granted
The Board granted an effective date of June 1, 1996, for the grant of service connection for degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine because the Veteran did not receive notice of the initial denial in 1996 and his claim remained pending.
- Partly granted
The Board denied service connection for liver and kidney disabilities but granted a 70 percent rating for an acquired psychiatric disorder prior to February 3, 2017, a 50 percent rating for a back disability, and a 20 percent rating for left sciatic radiculopathy from July 22, 2008.
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