The Board denied an initial compensable rating for a scar, status-post laminectomy, and denied increased ratings for radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities prior to January 4, 2022. However, it granted a 20% evaluation from that date for both conditions.

The deciding factor: The severity of the Veteran's symptoms has been described as mild by VA examiners prior to January 4, 2022, and moderate thereafter, which aligns with the assigned ratings.

Claimed conditions

scar, status-post laminectomy, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, degenerative disc disease/degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine with spondylosis, lordosis, lumbosacral strain, and intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS)

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

None in this decision

Decision date

February 28, 2025

Citation

A25018700

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