The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his thoracolumbar and cervical spine disabilities, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, and lumbar laminectomy procedures scar.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show that the Veteran's service-connected conditions warranted higher ratings during the appeal period based on the applicable rating criteria.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine with scoliosis, Degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, Left lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve), Right lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve), Residual scars status post lumbar laminectomy procedures
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 23, 2025
- Citation
- 25007078
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board granted initial ratings of 40 percent for lumbar spine disorder, 70 percent for major depressive disorder, and 40 percent for left lower extremity radiculopathy. TDIU and SMC based on housebound status were also granted.
- Partly granted
The Board granted an initial disability rating of 30 percent for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine but denied a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).
- Partly granted
The Veteran's cervical spine disability is granted a 30 percent rating, while the lumbar and lower extremity radiculopathy claims are denied. An earlier effective date for right lower extremity radiculopathy was granted, and TDIU based on single service-connected disability is remanded.
- Denied
The Board denied higher disability ratings for the veteran's low back and lower extremity radiculopathies, pseudofolliculitis barbae, pes planus and plantar fasciitis, and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome.
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