The veteran's claim for an increased rating for back disability was denied. However, the veteran was granted a 20% rating for right lower extremity sciatic and femoral radiculopathy from September 17, 2019, to present.

The deciding factor: The decision was based on the probative evidence not indicating the required severity of symptoms for higher ratings.

Claimed conditions

lumbar degenerative arthritis, IVDS associated with residuals of left foot fracture which includes chronic pain, status post nerve removal for entrapment (back disability), radiculopathy, right lower extremity sciatic associated with right foot metatarsalgia with degenerative arthritis, radiculopathy, left lower extremity sciatic associated with left foot metatarsalgia with degenerative arthritis, radiculopathy, right lower extremity femoral associated with right foot metatarsalgia with degenerative arthritis, radiculopathy, left lower extremity femoral associated with left foot metatarsalgia with degenerative arthritis, ankle strain, right associated with right foot metatarsalgia with degenerative arthritis (right ankle disability), ankle strain, left associated with residuals of left foot fracture which includes chronic pain, status post nerve removal for entrapment (left ankle disability)

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

None in this decision

Decision date

January 24, 2025

Citation

A25006571

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