The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's nerve root compression at L5, which resulted in left lower extremity radiculopathy and foot drop. However, it denied service connection for his disc herniation at L4-L5.,The medical evidence suggests that the Veteran's back disability is related to his psoriatic arthritis and Methotrexate use, but not directly caused by his military service or a service-connected condition.
The deciding factor: Medical opinions indicate that the Veteran's disc herniation was likely due to his psoriasis and Methotrexate use rather than his military service or any service-connected disability.
- Claimed conditions
- Residuals of L5 nerve root compression, Herniated nucleus pulposus L4-5, status post discectomy (excluding any nerve impairment)
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 9, 2014
- Citation
- 1425920
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 1425920.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- 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.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active service or any related exposure.
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