The veteran's rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy was restored to 20 percent. The veteran is also granted a 20 percent rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral nerve) and left lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve). The issue of entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for degenerative arthritis, degenerative disc disease, and lumbosacral strain is remanded.

The deciding factor: The Board found that the reduction in rating was not proper because it did not reflect sustained material improvement or improvement in the Veteran's ability to function.

Claimed conditions

right lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve), left lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral nerve), left lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve), degenerative arthritis, degenerative disc disease, lumbosacral strain

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

20%

Decision date

January 14, 2025

Citation

A25003405

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