The Veteran was granted an initial rating of 40 percent for his back disability from November 23, 2020, to November 7, 2021, but no greater. The claims for increased ratings for right and left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy were denied.

The deciding factor: The Veteran's back disability was rated based on the limitation of forward flexion with repeated use over a period of time, which aligned with a 40 percent rating. For the sciatic radiculopathy, moderate incomplete paralysis was found in both extremities, not warranting an increase from 20 percent.

Claimed conditions

ankylosing spondylitis (back disability), right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy, left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

40%

Decision date

February 3, 2025

Citation

A25009562

Want to see how appeals like this one tend to go? Appeals like mine