The Veteran's service-connected musculoskeletal low back pain with sciatic neuropathy is currently rated at 20 percent, but the evidence does not support a higher rating.,Separate ratings of 10 percent each are assigned for neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities due to the service-connected low back disability.,The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome and GERD do not meet the criteria for a separate rating in excess of 10 percent.,There is no evidence that the Veteran's anterior lipomas, fusion of the right foot and ankle, right leg reflex sympathetic dystrophy, chronic nerve pain of the right leg, or atrophy of the right leg are related to her service-connected low back disability or other service-connected conditions.,Service connection for these conditions cannot be established.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's musculoskeletal low back pain with sciatic neuropathy is currently rated based on limitation of motion and associated neurological impairment. The evidence does not show that the disability warrants a higher rating, as there are no indications of ankylosis or incapacitating episodes requiring bed rest prescribed by a physician.,For the right and left lower extremities, separate 10 percent ratings are assigned for neuropathy due to service-connected low back disability. The evidence does not show that these conditions meet the criteria for higher ratings based on more severe neurological impairment.,The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome and GERD do not present with incapacitating episodes requiring bed rest prescribed by a physician, as required for a separate rating in excess of 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 7346 (GERD) or 8520 (neuropathy).,The evidence does not show that the Veteran's anterior lipomas are related to her service-connected low back disability or other service-connected conditions. The claim for service connection is denied.,Service connection cannot be established as there is no medical evidence linking these additional disabilities to the Veteran's military service or any service-connected condition.
- Claimed conditions
- musculoskeletal low back pain with sciatic neuropathy, irritable bowel syndrome, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 11, 2011
- Citation
- 1105712
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 1105712.
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 Board denied service connection for various conditions, including right shoulder disability, abdominal hernia, GERD, bilateral ankle disabilities, and bilateral foot disabilities. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated during the appellant's period of active duty.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for adhesions as secondary to irritable bowel syndrome, finding that there was no nexus between the claimed condition and service or a service-connected disability.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has denied service connection for sinusitis and remanded the Veteran's claims for chronic lower back pain, right knee pain, left knee pain, neck pain, and GERD.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy and denied the claims for right knee disability, erectile dysfunction, GERD, sleep apnea, and hypertension. The decision is remanded for further action on these issues.
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.