The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy is not service-connected as it is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected low back disability. The Board also denied the claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 40 percent for the service-connected low back disability and TDIU.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner concluded that the Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy was not causally related to his service-connected low back disability.
- Claimed conditions
- {"conditionName":"Left lower extremity radiculopathy"}, {"conditionName":"Degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine (low back disability)"}
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- February 24, 2011
- Citation
- 1107557
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 1107557.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and PTSD, is found to be secondary to his service-connected low back disability. His cervical spine disability, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy are all rated at 20% each.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's headaches are at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected traumatic brain injury, and thus grants service connection for this condition.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.
- Granted
The Veteran's major depressive disorder is found to be caused by his service-connected low back and radiculopathy disabilities, which prevent him from doing enjoyable activities and daily living tasks.
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