Veterans’ RightsAn independent resource for veterans
← All decisions
Denied

The Veteran's claim for service connection for spinal stenosis and left sided L5-S1 hemilaminectomy and discectomy is denied as the evidence does not support a finding that his current condition began during active service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for neuritis of the sciatic nerve, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity (secondary to spinal stenosis and L5-S1 hemilaminectomy and discectomy) is denied as there is no evidence that his current condition is related to a service-connected disability.

The deciding factor: The medical opinions provided do not support a finding of an in-service injury or disease leading to the Veteran's current spinal stenosis and L5-S1 hemilaminectomy and discectomy. The evidence does not establish that his condition began during service.,There is no evidence linking the Veteran’s current radiculopathy of the left lower extremity (neuritis of the sciatic nerve) to a service-connected disability, including spinal stenosis and L5-S1 hemilaminectomy and discectomy.

Claimed conditions
lumbosacral strain, spinal stenosis, left sided L5-S1 hemilaminectomy and discectomy, neuritis of the sciatic nerve
How they argued it
Direct service connection
Exposure basis
None
Rating assigned
None in this decision
Decision date
September 19, 2019
Citation
19173086

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 19173086.

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.

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.