The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy and lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's symptoms more closely approximated moderate incomplete paralysis for RLE radiculopathy and moderately severe incomplete paralysis for LLE radiculopathy. The lumbar spine disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Lower Extremity (RLE) radiculopathy, Left Lower Extremity (LLE) radiculopathy, Lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and herniated disc L5-S1
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 8, 2025
- Citation
- A25041789
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.
- Denied
The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy from January 30, 2013, and denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent prior to January 30, 2013, and in excess of 20 percent from January 30, 2013, for left lower extremity radiculopathy.
- Partly granted
The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, and depressive disorder. However, it granted a total disability rating based on unemployability (TDIU) and special monthly compensation at the housebound rate.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, effective from the date of the February 2025 rating decision.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a medical examination to determine if the Veteran's current neck strain is related to his in-service activities.
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