The Board granted an initial rating of 30 percent for herpes simplex and denied a higher rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's herpes simplex required intermittent systemic therapy, supporting the 30 percent rating. The evidence did not show constant or near-constant systemic therapy needed for a higher rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Herpes simplex, Left lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- December 15, 2025
- Citation
- A25108130
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 719 · Granted: 54% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation A25108130.
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.
- Denied
The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability is denied a rating in excess of 10 percent.,Right lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral) has an effective date prior to March 29, 2021.,Left lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral) has an effective date prior to August 24, 2023.,Left lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic) has an effective date of December 13, 2019.,Right lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic) from December 13, 2019 to the present is rated at 20 percent.,Left lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral) from August 23, 2023 to the present is rated at 20 percent.,Right lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic) has a rating in excess of 20 percent.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance or at the housebound rate due to his ability to perform most activities of daily living independently despite some limitations.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings due to inadequate examination in determining the severity of his service-connected lumbar spine and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.