The Board granted a 40 percent rating for lumbar radiculopathy, sciatic nerve, right and left lower extremities but denied earlier effective dates and a compensable rating for the posterior trunk scar.
The deciding factor: The disability was found to be moderately severe incomplete paralysis, warranting a 40 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 8520. Earlier effective dates were not granted due to the secondary nature of the conditions and the June 28, 2012, effective date for the primary condition.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar radiculopathy, sciatic nerve, left lower extremity, lumbar radiculopathy, sciatic nerve, right lower extremity, posterior trunk scar status post laminectomy
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- October 7, 2025
- Citation
- A25086673
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 964 · Granted: 37% (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 A25086673.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) at the 38 U.S.C. � 1114(l 1/2) rate pursuant to 38 U.S.C. � 1114(p), subject to any statutory or regulatory cap.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for osteoarthritis of the left and right hips, a left shoulder disability, a lumbar spine disability, and bilateral lumbar radiculopathy as secondary to the lumbar spine disability.
- Denied
The Veteran's lumbar radiculopathy, sciatic nerve, left lower extremity is currently rated at 40 percent and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance, which was granted for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.
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