The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbar spine intervertebral disc syndrome and a rating in excess of 40 percent for right lower extremity sciatica.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not support forward flexion limited to 30 degrees or less, ankylosis, or incapacitating episodes for the lumbar spine disability. For the right lower extremity radiculopathy, the evidence supported only mild incomplete paralysis and no more than a 40 percent rating was warranted.
- Claimed conditions
- Lumbar spine intervertebral disc syndrome, Right lower extremity sciatica
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 10, 2025
- Citation
- A25033702
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board granted restoration of a separate 10 percent rating for residuals of a TBI, and restored the 10 percent disability evaluations for left and right lower extremity sciatica, as well as granting entitlement to a TDIU.
- Granted
The Board granted an initial rating of 40 percent for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and effective dates of May 19, 2011, for right and left lower extremity sciatica.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a 10 percent rating for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) but denied higher ratings and service connection for other conditions.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for a lower back disability, left knee strain, bilateral ankle strain, right lower extremity sciatica, and PTSD based on military sexual trauma.
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