The Board denied increased ratings for cervical spondylosis and stenosis with IVDS, lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease and IVDS, radiculopathy of the right upper extremity, radiculopathy of the left upper extremity, radiculopathy of sciatic nerve of the left lower extremity, radiculopathy of femoral nerve of the right lower extremity, and radiculopathy of the external cutaneous nerve of the thigh of both lower extremities. However, a 40 percent rating was granted for radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve of the right lower extremity and a 30 percent rating was granted for radiculopathy of the femoral nerve of the left lower extremity.

The deciding factor: The decision was based on the severity of the Veteran's symptoms during flare-ups, which did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

Claimed conditions

cervical spondylosis and stenosis with intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease and spondylosis and IVDS, radiculopathy of the right upper extremity, radiculopathy of the left upper extremity, radiculopathy of sciatic nerve of the right lower extremity, radiculopathy of sciatic nerve of the left lower extremity, radiculopathy of femoral nerve of the right lower extremity, radiculopathy of femoral nerve of the left lower extremity, radiculopathy of the external cutaneous nerve of the thigh of the right lower extremity, radiculopathy of the external cutaneous nerve of the thigh of the left lower extremity

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

None in this decision

Decision date

January 31, 2025

Citation

A25009295

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