The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease is not manifested by flexion functionally limited to less than 60 degrees, with muscle spasms or guarding severe enough to result in an abnormal gait or abnormal spinal contour. The Veteran's left lower extremity femoral nerve radiculopathy and sciatic nerve radiculopathy are both manifested by no more than mild incomplete paralysis.,The criteria for establishing entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 10 percent disabling for lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease have not been met. The Veteran's left lower extremity femoral nerve radiculopathy and sciatic nerve radiculopathy are both manifested by no more than mild incomplete paralysis.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not show that the Veteran's forward flexion was limited, functionally or otherwise, to less than 60 degrees and at no time was his combined range of motion less than 120 degrees. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability did not result in unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine, nor incapacitating episodes requiring bedrest prescribed by a physician due to the back for a total duration of four weeks or greater.
- Claimed conditions
- Lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease, Left lower extremity radiculopathy of the femoral nerve, Left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- February 2, 2026
- Citation
- A26009115
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 A26009115.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone do not render him so helpless as to require the regular aid and attendance of another person, resulting in a denial of SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis and spinal stenosis with L3-L5 disc herniation (lumbar disability), left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, and right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve. The Board found that these conditions are related to service.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to lack of loss of use resulting from his disabilities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board finds that remand is necessary to obtain relevant private medical records for the cervical spine disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, right hip disability, and left hip disability.,The AOJ failed to undertake appropriate efforts to obtain these records prior to issuance of the December 24, 2019, or January 24, 2020, AOJ decisions.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.