The Veteran's left lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy was granted an evaluation of 20 percent from January 11, 2012 to January 22, 2025, but an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for the same condition and an increased rating in excess of 40 percent for a back disability were denied.
The deciding factor: The severity of the Veteran's symptoms reflected moderate incomplete paralysis, supporting a 20 percent rating from January 11, 2012 to January 22, 2025. However, there was no evidence of moderately severe or more severe impairment for an increased rating.
- Claimed conditions
- left lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy, lumbar spondylosis and degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the lumbar spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- June 30, 2025
- Citation
- 25008578
What this means for you
A partial grant means some issues were granted while others were denied or remanded — common in multi-issue claims. Look at which issues went which way, and how each was argued.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Partly granted
The Board reinstated the 50 percent disability rating for squamous cell carcinoma of the scalp with surgical scars, effective February 19, 2024. Service connection was also restored for lumbosacral strain and various radiculopathies.
- Granted
The Board granted initial 40 percent ratings for left and right lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy, but no higher.
- Granted
The Board granted earlier effective dates of November 21, 2019, for the grants of service connection for spinal stenosis associated with intervertebral disc syndrome, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left knee tendinitis. The claim for an earlier effective date for special monthly compensation based on housebound criteria was denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for bilateral knee disabilities, lumbar strain disability, and lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities due to an inadequate VA examination.
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