The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine strain with degenerative disc disease, right and left lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral and sciatic nerves), was not found to warrant a higher rating during the review period. The effective date for these ratings is December 29, 2021.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence did not show unfavorable ankylosis of the lumbar spine or any other neurological impairment that would support a higher rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Lumbar spine strain with degenerative disc disease, Right lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral nerve), Right lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve), Left lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral nerve), Left lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- January 7, 2026
- Citation
- A26001659
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 A26001659.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and effective dates was denied. The decision specifically addressed the issue of an increased rating for PTSD, which was found not to meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for initial disability ratings in excess of 20 percent for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve) due to inadequate examination findings.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to errors in obtaining VA treatment records and a need for an additional medical opinion regarding the effects of medications on the Veteran's service-connected back disability.
- Granted
The Veteran's low back disability was granted service connection on October 22, 2018.,Effective from October 22, 2018, the Veteran's left and right lower extremity radiculopathies (sciatic nerve) were also granted secondary to his low back disability.,The effective dates for these conditions are all set at October 22, 2018.
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