The Veteran's mechanical low back pain is granted as service-connected.,There is no current diagnosis of sinusitis. The claim for sinusitis is denied.,Service connection for lumbar spondylosis and degenerative disc disease (DDD) is granted.,Service connection for radiculopathy, left lower extremity, sciatic nerve is remanded.,Service connection for radiculopathy, right lower extremity, sciatic nerve is remanded.,The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is secondary to his service-connected hypertension and is granted as service-connected.
The deciding factor: The November 2019 VA examiner concluded that the Veteran’s mechanical low back pain is at least as likely as not incurred in or caused by military service, based on STRs showing diagnosis of mechanical low back pain during active duty.,The August 2019 VA examiner determined there was no current diagnosis of sinusitis and noted that subjective symptoms do not equate to a disability for VA purposes. The Veteran's subjective symptoms were not supported by objective medical evidence.,The November 2019 VA examiner concluded the Veteran’s lumbar spondylosis and DDD multilevel is less likely than not proximately due to or caused by his mechanical low back pain, but more likely related to natural progression of degenerative disc disease. The examiner noted that radiculopathy was a result of an acute entrapment of the sciatic nerve.,The August 2019 VA examiner concluded the Veteran’s bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy is at least as likely as not proximately due to or caused by his service-connected lumbar degenerative disc disease multilevel, supported by MRI findings. The examiner also noted that the sciatica was a result of an acute entrapment of the sciatic nerve.,The August 2019 VA examiner concluded the Veteran’s erectile dysfunction is less likely than not proximately due to or caused by his service-connected hypertension (medication). However, the examiner noted there was no medical nexus and it is more likely due to risk factors such as natural aging, significant tobacco abuse, body habitus BMI 30.3, and dyslipidemia.,The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is secondary to his service-connected hypertension.
- Claimed conditions
- mechanical low back pain, lumbar spondylosis and degenerative disc disease (DDD), rheumatoid arthritis (presumed due to Agent Orange exposure), sinusitis, erectile dysfunction
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 1, 2020
- Citation
- A20013836
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 A20013836.
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
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Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
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- Denied
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- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has found that the Veteran meets the basic medical eligibility criteria for PCAFC benefits due to his need for personal care services based on symptoms or residuals of neurological or other impairment or injury. However, further clinical evaluation is needed to determine if participation in the program is in the Veteran's best interest.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has found a pre-decisional duty to assist error and has ordered the case back to the AOJ for proper notice regarding the Veteran's right to a hearing.
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