The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to care for his daily needs without requiring the regular aid and attendance of another person, and he is granted an increased disability rating of 20 percent for left and right lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy.

The deciding factor: The Veteran's symptoms manifested as moderate incomplete paralysis, which met the criteria for a 20% rating under DC 8520. The need for aid and attendance was also established based on his inability to care for himself without assistance.

Claimed conditions

left lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy, right lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy, lumbar strain, degenerative arthritis, intervertebral disc syndrome, and spondylosis

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

20%

Decision date

October 21, 2025

Citation

A25090547

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