The Board granted a 50 percent rating for the Veteran's low back disability, but denied increased ratings for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's low back disability more nearly approximated unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine, warranting a 50 percent rating. However, there was no evidence of incapacitating episodes or severe neurological impairment to support higher ratings for the lower extremity radiculopathies.
- Claimed conditions
- Low back disability (degenerative arthritis, degenerative disc disease (DDD), intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), spinal stenosis), Left lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve), Right lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral nerve)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- June 18, 2025
- Citation
- A25053362
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 initial ratings of 40 percent for lumbar spine disorder, 70 percent for major depressive disorder, and 40 percent for left lower extremity radiculopathy. TDIU and SMC based on housebound status were also granted.
- Denied
The Board denied higher disability ratings for the veteran's low back and lower extremity radiculopathies, pseudofolliculitis barbae, pes planus and plantar fasciitis, and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the issue of entitlement to an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis of the spine and intervertebral disc syndrome.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a separate 20 percent rating for intervertebral disc syndrome based on limited cervical range of motion and a 40 percent rating for IVDS based on limited thoracolumbar range of motion, while dismissing the appeal for service connection for a right knee disability.
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