The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him in need of regular aid and attendance or housebound status, as his inability to walk is attributed to a non-service-connected upper motor neuron lesion.
The deciding factor: Medical opinions indicate the veteran's disabling neurological symptoms are due to an underlying neurologic condition unrelated to his service-connected low back disability with associated radiculopathy.
- Claimed conditions
- mechanical low back pain with spondylosis at L5, depression secondary to the low back pain, r radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, r radiculopathy of the right lower extremity
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 15, 2007
- Citation
- 0735917
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0735917.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted earlier effective dates of December 19, 2016 for service connection of radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for his lumbar spine disability and radiculopathy of the lower extremities has been denied. The case is being remanded to consider a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings and special monthly compensation were dismissed due to his death. The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of these claims as he died during their pendency.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, as well as his claim for TDIU, are being remanded due to inadequate examination reports and incomplete records.
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