The Board granted a 20 percent rating for right lower extremity (RLE) sciatic nerve radiculopathy from March 1, 2020, to August 4, 2020, and denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis with stenosis during the same period. The Board also denied other claims including service connection for residuals of head injury, traumatic brain injury (TBI), an initial compensable rating for posterior trunk scar, and effective dates prior to November 1, 2020, for separate ratings for sciatic and femoral nerve radiculopathies.
The deciding factor: The decision was based on the severity of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability during the relevant period, which did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Board also found that there was no evidence to support an earlier effective date or service connection for the head injury residuals.
- Claimed conditions
- thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis with stenosis (lumbar spine disability), residuals of head injury, to include traumatic brain injury (TBI), posterior trunk scar, right lower extremity (RLE) sciatic nerve radiculopathy, left lower extremity (LLE) sciatic nerve radiculopathy, left lower extremity (LLE) femoral nerve radiculopathy, right lower extremity (RLE) femoral nerve radiculopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- May 15, 2025
- Citation
- A25044005
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 Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a head injury to schedule an examination due to the Veteran missing a scheduled VA examination without good cause.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's hypertension was granted a 10 percent rating, but no higher. The claims for earlier effective dates for the separate ratings of sciatic and femoral nerve radiculopathy were denied, as well as the remanded claims for initial ratings in excess of 10 percent for left knee and lumbar spine disabilities.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a 40 percent rating for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, denied an increased rating for the low back disability, granted a 50 percent rating for depression, and granted TDIU. The appeal was partially successful with some issues being granted while others were denied.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's appeal for specially adapted housing and an automobile allowance was granted, while the claims for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance and compensable ratings for lower extremity radiculopathies were denied.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.