The Veteran's bilateral radiculopathy of the lower extremities is found to be secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine degenerative disc disease. The claim for increased disability rating for the lumbar spine disorder and TDIU are granted.
The deciding factor: Bilateral radiculopathy was determined to be caused by the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disorder, satisfying the secondary service connection criteria.
- Claimed conditions
- Type II Diabetes Mellitus, Bilateral Neurological Disorder of Lower Extremities (Radiculopathy, Median Neuropathy, Ulnar Neuropathy), Lumbar Spine Degenerative Disc Disease
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- January 22, 2018
- Citation
- 1803817
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 1803817.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for type II diabetes mellitus, diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and obstructive sleep apnea, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection due to new and relevant evidence having been received since a previous denial.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on a need for aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities, which includes PTSD, diabetes, hearing loss, and other conditions.
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