The Board granted an initial rating of 40 percent for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and effective dates of May 19, 2011, for right and left lower extremity sciatica.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's range of motion loss in his lumbar spine was found to be at least 20 degrees with pain during flare-ups, warranting a higher rating. The effective dates were granted based on the earliest date evidence showed symptoms of bilateral lower extremity sciatica.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine (lumbar spine disability), Right lower extremity sciatica, Left lower extremity sciatica
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- June 16, 2025
- Citation
- A25052601
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
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 to correct a pre-decisional duty to assist error, including verifying in-service stressors and scheduling examinations.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for increased ratings and service connection, as well as remanded several new claims.
- Granted
The Board granted restoration of a separate 10 percent rating for residuals of a TBI, and restored the 10 percent disability evaluations for left and right lower extremity sciatica, as well as granting entitlement to a TDIU.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a 10 percent rating for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) but denied higher ratings and service connection for other conditions.
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.