The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his service-connected back disability and service connection for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity. The Veteran was not granted any increased ratings, but he is still entitled to a separate rating for his right leg radiculopathy.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not support the assignment of higher ratings based on the criteria provided in the Rating Schedule and the Board found that there was no basis to assign a higher rating for the Veteran's service-connected back disability. The Board also determined that there was insufficient evidence to grant service connection for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity.
- Claimed conditions
- L4-5 radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, Residuals of compression fracture at L1 and L2, with anterior wedging and kyphotic gibbus
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- May 23, 2014
- Citation
- 1423621
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 1423621.
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.
- Partly granted
The veteran's degenerative disc disease and associated radiculopathy were rated appropriately, but service connection for sensory peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities was denied.
- 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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