The Board denied an increased rating for the Veteran's right sciatic nerve radiculopathy, finding that the evidence did not support a disability rating in excess of 20 percent.
The deciding factor: The evidence showed only moderate incomplete paralysis with symptoms such as stiffness, radiating pain, occasional tingling, and mild to moderate paresthesias and/or dysesthesias, which did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 8620.
- Claimed conditions
- right sciatic nerve radiculopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 8, 2025
- Citation
- A25058499
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 further development and to provide the Veteran with notice of her right to a hearing before the AOJ.
- Granted
The Board granted increased ratings for the Veteran's right and left sciatic nerve radiculopathy, effective May 31, 2018, and awarded a total disability based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) effective July 30, 2012.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for sleep apnea, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with intervertebral disc syndrome, and pseudofolliculitis barbae, among other issues, with specific ratings and effective dates.
- Partly granted
The veteran was granted a 70 percent initial rating for somatic symptom disorder, and a 20 percent initial rating for intervertebral disc syndrome lumbosacral spine. Other claims were denied or remanded.
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