The Veteran's claim for a separate left leg disability is denied as it would constitute prohibited pyramiding of compensation. The claims for increased ratings for traumatic arthritis of the lumbar spine and cervical spine are also denied.
The deciding factor: Service connection cannot be granted because compensating a veteran twice for the same manifestations of disability (dragging the left leg while ambulating) is prohibited.
- Claimed conditions
- left foot drop, paresthesias with weakness, left quadriceps and anterior thigh
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- August 7, 2018
- Citation
- 18124518
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 18124518.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for the Veteran's lumbar spine herniated disc, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and left foot drop due to a delay in VA providing timely neurosurgical care.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to a TDIU and an increased evaluation for left Achilles tendonitis. The Veteran's service-connected conditions have rendered her unable to work during certain periods, but further review is needed.
- Partly granted
The Board denied service connection for right and left foot drop, granted service connection for a right shoulder strain, and denied service connection for TBI. The claim for TDIU was dismissed.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for left foot drop, finding that it was secondary to the Veteran's service-connected ischemic cerebrovascular accident (stroke) residuals.
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