The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left lower extremity sciatica as secondary to mild degenerative disc disease L4-L5 and his claim for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability (TDIU). The evidence did not support granting either claim.
The deciding factor: The preponderance of the evidence was against finding current chronic left lower extremity sciatica, and the Veteran's service-connected disabilities were found to be insufficient to render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.
- Claimed conditions
- left lower extremity sciatica, mild degenerative disc disease L4-L5
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 17, 2017
- Citation
- 1746027
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 1746027.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has granted service connection for lumbar strain and lumbar intervertebral disc syndrome with left sciatica. The right lower extremity sciatica claim is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for bilateral lower extremity sciatica, secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain. The decision is based on a finding of reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding service connection for left and right lower extremity sciatica, leading to the dismissal of these claims.
- Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine condition and left lower extremity sciatica, finding that these conditions are related to an in-service injury.
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