The Board denied earlier effective dates for the grant of service connection for radiculopathy and granted a 40 percent initial rating for radiculopathy, right lower extremity, sciatic nerve.

The deciding factor: The evidence did not support an earlier effective date as there was no manifestation of radiculopathy prior to October 25, 2019. The severity of the radiculopathy warranted a 40 percent rating based on moderately severe incomplete paralysis.

Claimed conditions

radiculopathy, right lower extremity, sciatic nerve, radiculopathy, right lower extremity, femoral nerve, radiculopathy, left lower extremity, sciatic nerve, radiculopathy, left lower extremity, femoral nerve, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), lumbar spondylolisthesis with degenerative changes

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

None in this decision

Decision date

February 28, 2025

Citation

A25018511

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