The Board denied service connection for radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremity femoral nerves, an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for degenerative arthritis of the spine with status post lumbar discectomy, an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for limitation of motion of the left ankle, and remanded service connection for limitation of motion of the right ankle.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not support a current diagnosis of radiculopathy involving the femoral nerve or a higher rating for degenerative arthritis of the spine with status post lumbar discectomy. The Veteran's symptoms were not severe enough to warrant an increased rating, and there was no indication of unfavorable ankylosis.
- Claimed conditions
- Radiculopathy of the left lower extremity femoral nerve, Radiculopathy of the right lower extremity femoral nerve, Degenerative arthritis of the spine with status post lumbar discectomy and sequestered disc at 11-12 with compression of the left side traversing nerve roots, Limitation of motion of the left ankle, Limitation of motion of the right ankle
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 17, 2025
- Citation
- A25089925
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 831 · Granted: 48% (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 A25089925.
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than January 18, 2022, for the grant of initial 20 percent ratings for his low back disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy were denied.,The Veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than January 18, 2022, for the grant of initial 20 percent ratings for his right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy and bilateral lower extremity femoral nerve radiculopathy were denied.
- Granted
The Board has restored the Veteran's disability ratings for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities, including sciatic and femoral nerves, to their original levels on July 1, 2020.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for a higher rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and associated radiculopathy due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the severity of the conditions during flare-ups and after repetitive use, discounting the ameliorative effects of medications.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for an initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent for IVDS with DDD of the lumbar spine and in excess of 10 percent for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities femoral and sciatic nerves, as well as the TDIU claim, to obtain additional evidence.
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