The Board granted higher initial ratings for the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine with intervertebral disc syndrome and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathies, as well as an earlier effective date for service connection.

The deciding factor: The evidence showed that the Veteran experienced moderately severe to severe impairment in his sciatic and femoral nerves associated with his thoracolumbar spine disability, warranting higher ratings. Additionally, there was evidence supporting earlier effective dates for the grants of service connection.

Claimed conditions

Degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine with intervertebral disc syndrome, Right lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve), Left lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve), Right lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral nerve), Left lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral nerve)

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

40%

Decision date

November 18, 2025

Citation

A25099925

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