The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to August 3, 2011 and August 17, 2016 for service connection of radiculopathy and sciatica associated with his lumbosacral strain have been denied.
The deciding factor: The RO found that the evidence did not show increased disability of such magnitude necessary for an earlier effective date.
- Claimed conditions
- Radiculopathy of the right lower extremity associated with lumbosacral strain, Radiculopathy of the left lower extremity associated with lumbosacral strain, Sciatica of the right lower extremity associated with lumbosacral strain, Sciatica of the left lower extremity associated with lumbosacral strain
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- December 21, 2018
- Citation
- 18160124
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 18160124.
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.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for urinary dysfunction with frequency and nocturia as secondary to obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) with CPAP, and an evaluation of 20 percent was granted for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity associated with lumbosacral strain from April 9, 2021.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's headaches are at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected traumatic brain injury, and thus grants service connection for this condition.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.
- Granted
The Veteran's major depressive disorder is found to be caused by his service-connected low back and radiculopathy disabilities, which prevent him from doing enjoyable activities and daily living tasks.
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