The Board granted initial ratings of 40 percent for degenerative disc disease and 20 percent for right and left lower extremity radiculopathies, but denied higher ratings. Other claims were either granted with non-compensable ratings or denied.

The deciding factor: The evidence was approximately evenly balanced as to the severity of the conditions, leading to grants in some cases and denials in others.

Claimed conditions

degenerative disc disease with lumbosacral strain, intervertebral disc syndrome, lumbar disc herniation, degenerative arthritis, right lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, left lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, right lower extremity radiculopathy of the femoral nerve, left lower extremity radiculopathy of the femoral nerve, urinary incontinence, erectile dysfunction, bronchitis, ingrown toenails

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

None in this decision

Decision date

October 14, 2025

Citation

A25088129

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