The Board granted a 40 percent rating for lumbar spine degenerative disk disease, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy from July 31, 2013, to March 9, 2020. A TDIU was also granted.

The deciding factor: The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disk disease results in forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine functionally limited to 30 degrees or less throughout the period on appeal, and radiculopathy of both lower extremities is manifested by moderately severe incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve.

Claimed conditions

Lumbar spine degenerative disk disease, Left lower extremity radiculopathy, Right lower extremity radiculopathy

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

40%

Decision date

November 17, 2025

Citation

25014040

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