The Board denied a rating more than 40 percent for lumbar strain with degenerative arthritis and granted an effective date of April 12, 2022, for service connection for radiculopathy left lower extremity (sciatic nerve) and right lower extremity (sciatic nerve).

The deciding factor: The Veteran's lumbar spine disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to lack of evidence supporting unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes. The effective date was granted based on continuous pursuit of the underlying claim.

Claimed conditions

Lumbar strain with degenerative arthritis, Radiculopathy left lower extremity (sciatic nerve), Radiculopathy right lower extremity (sciatic nerve)

How they argued it

Secondary to another service-connected condition

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

None in this decision

Decision date

November 3, 2025

Citation

A25095170

Want to see how appeals like this one tend to go? Appeals like mine