The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for left and right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy, finding that the symptoms did not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's symptoms were found to more closely approximate moderate incomplete paralysis, which is already rated at 20 percent under the criteria set forth in 38 C.F.R. § 4.124a, DC 8520.
- Claimed conditions
- left lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy, right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 28, 2025
- Citation
- A25047260
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for various conditions, including a back condition, right and left lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy, neck condition, upper extremity radiculopathy, bilateral flatfoot, right foot plantar fasciitis, and right ankle pain, as the current evidence is inadequate to make a decision.
- Denied
The Board denied earlier effective dates for the awards of service connection for various disabilities, including PTSD with other specified depressive disorder and multiple wrist and finger pain conditions.
- Granted
The Board granted an increased rating from 20 percent to 40 percent for the Veteran's right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy, finding that the evidence supports a rating of 40 percent based on moderate severe incomplete paralysis.
- Dismissed
The appeal of the proposed reduction of the ratings for left and right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathies from 20 percent to 10 percent was dismissed because it is not a final action.
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