The Board has granted service connection for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity and an initial rating of 20 percent for lumbar disability. The Veteran's radiculopathy is caused by or related to his military service, while his lumbar disability is characterized by limited range of motion.
The deciding factor: The Board found that there was sufficient evidence linking the Veteran’s current conditions to his military service and granted both service connection and an initial rating for his disabilities.
- Claimed conditions
- radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, lumbar disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- May 17, 2018
- Citation
- 18103243
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 18103243.
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 claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his physical limitations could be accommodated by sedentary employment.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for increased rating of PTSD, service connection for right elbow disability, muscle/joint pain, and chronic fatigue have been dismissed due to his withdrawal at a January 2025 Board hearing.,Service connection has been granted for IBS on a presumptive basis as a qualifying chronic disability under the Gulf War category.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has denied service connection for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity and remanded the claim for adjustment disorder. The Veteran's radiculopathy is not shown to be related to his military service, while his adjustment disorder may be related to civilian life.
- Denied
The Veteran's claims for migraine headaches, tinnitus, bilateral foot disability, frequent urination, lumbar disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy have all been denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions during or prior to the filing of the claim.,The Veteran's claims for sleep apnea and a heart disability are being remanded.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.