The Board denied a rating in excess of 40 percent for mechanical low back pain with right leg shortening, but granted an initial 40 percent rating for radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities.

The deciding factor: The evidence did not support a higher rating for the lumbar spine condition, while it was approximately evenly balanced that the symptoms of the bilateral lower extremity conditions warranted separate 40 percent ratings.

Claimed conditions

mechanical low back pain with right leg shortening, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

40%

Decision date

November 10, 2025

Citation

A25097704

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