The Board denied service connection for degenerative disease of the lumbar spine and radiculopathy of the lower right extremity, finding that there was no direct or secondary service connection based on the evidence presented.
The deciding factor: The Veteran did not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection due to arthritis as it did not manifest within one year of discharge. There is also insufficient medical evidence linking his current conditions to service.
- Claimed conditions
- degenerative disease of the lumbar spine, rheumatoid arthritis (claimed as degenerative disease of the lumbar spine), radiculopathy of the lower right extremity
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 27, 2017
- Citation
- 1760392
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 1760392.
What this means for you
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's initial 10 percent rating for migraines is granted, while a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied. Service connection is granted for pes planus, but not for degenerative disease of the lumbar spine, bilateral knee pain, hypertension, GERD, or sleep apnea and generalized anxiety disorder.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities due to a lack of adequate evaluation in the previous VA examination. A new VA examination is required to determine the severity of these conditions.
- Denied
The Veteran's left ear hearing loss was not granted a compensable rating.,For the period from March 23, 2017, to April 27, 2018, the Veteran received a maximum schedular rating for IBS under Diagnostic Code 7319. For the period since April 27, 2018, the Veteran's IBS has been manifested by moderate symptomatology with frequent episodes of bowel disturbance.,The Veteran's sinusitis did not meet criteria for an increased rating as it was not characterized by incapacitating episodes or a history of sinus surgery.,The calluses on the bilateral feet were not painful and collectively measured less than 144 sq. in., thus not meeting criteria for an increased rating.,Right and left knee disabilities have been manifested by findings of limitation of flexion resulting in additional functional loss, but did not meet criteria for a higher rating as they are already at the maximum schedular rating under Diagnostic Code 5260.,The Veteran's right knee instability was granted an initial 30 percent rating and left knee instability was granted an initial 10 percent rating based on moderate recurrent lateral instability.,Radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities has been rated at 20 percent, consistent with moderate incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve.,The Veteran's TMJ disability is related to a service-connected disability and thus granted service connection.,Crohn's Disease was not found to be incurred or aggravated during service.,Respiratory disability and sleep apnea were not found to be incurred or aggravated during service.,Right and left ankle disabilities were not shown in service and are not otherwise related to service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for an evaluation higher than 10 percent for cervical degenerative joint disease prior to March 5, 2019 and entitlement to a total disability based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability (TDIU).
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