The Board granted increased disability ratings for the service-connected back disability and sciatic nerve radiculopathy of both lower extremities, as well as an earlier effective date for TDIU and SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The deciding factor: The decision was based on the Veteran's symptoms and functional impairments that more nearly approximated moderately severe symptomatology without muscular atrophy, and his inability to maintain substantially gainful employment due to service-connected disabilities.

Claimed conditions

femoral nerve radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, femoral nerve radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, sciatic nerve radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, sciatic nerve radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, back disability (low back strain, degenerative arthritis, degrative disc disease, intervertebral disc syndrome, spinal stenosis, and lumbar decompression and fusion)

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

40%

Decision date

October 14, 2025

Citation

25012812

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