The Veteran's back condition and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy were denied higher ratings. The Veteran's back condition was rated based on the degree of flexion, with no unfavorable ankylosis noted.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine less than 30 degrees or favorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative arthritis with strain and spinal stenosis of the lumbar spine, Left lower extremity (LLE) radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, Right lower extremity (RLE) radiculopathy of sciatic nerve
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 23, 2026
- Citation
- A26038270
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 A26038270.
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 Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for various disabilities, including lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, radiculopathy of both femoral and sciatic nerves, tension headaches, residual scarring, and PTSD.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, as the evidence showed moderate incomplete paralysis.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted a total disability rating for individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities and basic eligibility of Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits as of April 12, 2016.
- Denied
The Board denied earlier effective dates for the awards of service connection and remanded initial rating claims, except for an effective date of April 25, 1999, for left knee disability.
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