The Board granted service connection for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and associated left lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy with an effective date of August 6, 2021. The initial ratings for the lumbar spine condition were denied, while the Veteran was granted a 20 percent rating for left lower extremity external popliteal nerve radiculopathy and a 10 percent rating for left lower extremity posterior tibial nerve radiculopathy.
The deciding factor: The decision was based on the evidence of record showing that the Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for higher ratings, but granted service connection with an earlier effective date due to his intent to file a claim in 2021 and subsequent submission of a new claim within one year.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, left lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy, left lower extremity external popliteal nerve radiculopathy, left lower extremity posterior tibial nerve radiculopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 1, 2025
- Citation
- A25030066
What this means for you
A partial grant means some issues were granted while others were denied or remanded — common in multi-issue claims. Look at which issues went which way, and how each was argued.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for various conditions, including a back condition, right and left lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy, neck condition, upper extremity radiculopathy, bilateral flatfoot, right foot plantar fasciitis, and right ankle pain, as the current evidence is inadequate to make a decision.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for a higher rating in excess of the current ratings for various musculoskeletal conditions.
- Denied
The Board denied earlier effective dates for the awards of service connection for various disabilities, including PTSD with other specified depressive disorder and multiple wrist and finger pain conditions.
- Partly granted
The Board denied a compensable evaluation for hypertension and granted an increased rating of 20 percent for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease from April 13, 2022. The effective date for the right lower extremity radiculopathy was also granted as May 10, 2016.
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