The Board remands the issues of an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for a back disability, and separate compensable ratings for right and left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy prior to August 12, 2018, due to inadequate medical opinions.
The deciding factor: The July 2023 VA examination was found inadequate as it did not provide a narrative explanation for the findings regarding flare-ups or repeated use over time. Additionally, the Board must assess favorable evidence from an April 2011 private treatment record that reported intermittent numbness/tingling in the Veteran's left leg and arm.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbosacral strain and bilateral sacroiliac joint strain with mild thoracic spondylosis and spurring (back disability), right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy, left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 3, 2025
- Citation
- 25012435
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