An earlier effective date of July 22, 2013, but no earlier, for the award of service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy and assignment of a 10 percent rating is granted.,A disability rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is denied.,From December 12, 2023, a 20 percent disability rating for service-connected radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is granted.
The deciding factor: The effective date was set based on the first clinical indication of mild right lower extremity radiculopathy during examination related to lumbosacral degenerative joint and degenerative disc disease in September 2013.,The Veteran's right lower extremity has manifested in no more than mild incomplete paralysis, warranting a 10 percent rating.,Prior to December 12, 2023, the Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral degenerative joint and degenerative disc disease resulted in forward flexion of 50 degrees at worst, with combined range of motion greater than 120 degrees. Since December 12, 2023, it has not resulted in favorable or unfavorable ankylosis.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbosacral degenerative joint and degenerative disc disease, right lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve), left lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- January 21, 2026
- Citation
- 26000826
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 26000826.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to inadequate VA examinations and a pre-decisional duty to assist error. Additional development is needed for service connection of carpal tunnel syndrome, increased ratings for lower extremity radiculopathies, and obtaining a VA TERA opinion.
- Granted
The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with IVDS and associated radiculopathies of the left and right lower extremities are granted at a 40 percent rating prior to December 27, 2023, and denied for ratings in excess of this level from that date.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded two issues: the initial rating for a lumbar disorder and the initial rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy. The remand is due to inconsistencies in the VA examination report, particularly regarding range of motion during flare-ups.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for service-connected left and right lower extremity radiculopathy are being remanded due to a scheduling error.
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