The Veteran's service-connected left lower extremity radiculopathy associated with DDD of the lumbar spine is granted an initial rating of 40 percent, and a TDIU is also granted.
The deciding factor: The evidence shows that the Veteran has suffered from symptoms which meet VA's definition of moderately severe (including 'motor and/or reflex impairment' at a 'grade reflecting a high level of limitation or disability') throughout the appeal period, warranting an initial rating of 40 percent for left lower extremity radiculopathy.
- Claimed conditions
- Radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, Degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the lumbar spine with degenerative arthritis, intervertebral disc syndrome, spinal stenosis, and intervertebral disc displacement
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- June 23, 2025
- Citation
- 25008267
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for spinal stenosis, peripheral neuropathy, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy to correct pre-decisional duty to assist errors.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include a mood disorder and alcohol abuse disorder, secondary to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities. The other claims for increased ratings were denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for higher staged ratings and initial ratings in excess of 10 percent, 20 percent, and 10 percent for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, right lower extremity, and residual painful surgical scar, posterior trunk respectively, to correct a pre-decisional duty to assist error.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, degenerative disc disease, lumbosacral strain, and spinal stenosis based on the Veteran's in-service back injury and chronicity of symptoms.
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