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
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,680 · Granted: 24% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using 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 Veteran's low back disability is rated at 50 percent effective February 13, 2021. His left lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy is rated at 80 percent from April 21, 2013 to February 12, 2021. The Veteran's TDIU claim has an earlier effective date of April 21, 2013.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected right lower extremity sciatic and femoral nerve radiculopathy with restless leg syndrome is currently rated at 20 percent, effective May 8, 2024. The appeal for higher ratings has been denied.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease and associated right and left lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted TDIU on this basis.
- Granted
The Veteran meets the schedular percentage requirements for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities, which prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.
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