The Veteran's lumbar spine DDD, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic and femoral nerves), and back scar status post laminectomy are all granted effective December 22, 2013.,Basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) is also granted effective December 22, 2013.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's lumbar spine DDD initially manifested as forward flexion limited to 30 degrees or less and was service connected on December 22, 2013. The radiculopathy of the sciatic and femoral nerves were also granted effective that date due to their association with the lumbar spine DDD.,The Veteran's TDIU eligibility is granted as he has one disability rated at 40 percent or more (lumbar spine DDD) and sufficient additional disability to bring his combined rating to 70 percent or more.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar spine DDD, left lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve), left lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral nerve), right lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve), right lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral nerve), back scar status post laminectomy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- February 23, 2026
- Citation
- A26016199
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 A26016199.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to inadequate VA examinations and a pre-decisional duty to assist error. Additional development is needed for service connection of carpal tunnel syndrome, increased ratings for lower extremity radiculopathies, and obtaining a VA TERA opinion.
- Granted
The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with IVDS and associated radiculopathies of the left and right lower extremities are granted at a 40 percent rating prior to December 27, 2023, and denied for ratings in excess of this level from that date.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded two issues: the initial rating for a lumbar disorder and the initial rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy. The remand is due to inconsistencies in the VA examination report, particularly regarding range of motion during flare-ups.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and earlier effective dates for his left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, as well as TDIU, have been dismissed due to the appellant withdrawing the appeal.
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