The Board denied service connection for intervertebral disc syndrome and various ratings in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathies, and left ulnar tunnel syndrome. However, a 20 percent rating was granted for the left ulnar tunnel syndrome.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not support a finding of intervertebral disc syndrome or a higher rating for the Veteran's service-connected conditions due to the lack of specific findings of disc herniation with compression and/or irritation of the adjacent nerve root, as required by the Rating Criteria effective February 7, 2021.
- Claimed conditions
- Intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), thoracolumbar spine, Degenerative arthritis of the spine, spinal stenosis, and degenerative disc disease (lumbar spine disability), Left lower extremity femoral nerve radiculopathy, Right lower extremity femoral nerve radiculopathy, Left lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy, Right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy, Left ulnar tunnel syndrome
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- May 20, 2025
- Citation
- A25045153
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.
- Granted
The Board granted earlier effective dates of June 2, 2023, for the grant of service connection for various conditions and eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for spinal stenosis, peripheral neuropathy, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy to correct pre-decisional duty to assist errors.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine, intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), and foraminal stenosis based on a finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's military service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine to obtain a new medical opinion that considers an in-service injury after appropriate efforts are made to obtain the appellant's service treatment records.
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