The Board has determined that the service connection for Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) at L3-4 and L4-5, as well as left lower extremity radiculopathy associated with DDD at L3-4 and L4-5, was properly severed due to clear and unmistakable error in granting these conditions on a presumptive basis.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the grant of service connection for Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) at L3-4 and L4-5 was clearly and unmistakably erroneous because DDD is not an enumerated chronic disease presumed to be incurred during a period of service. The left lower extremity radiculopathy was also improperly granted as secondary to the service-connected DDD.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) at L3-4 and L4-5, Left lower extremity radiculopathy
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 26, 2020
- Citation
- 20036099
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 20036099.
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board has granted effective dates of July 10, 2024 for service connection for PTSD, lumbar strain, and left lower extremity radiculopathy.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew the claims for psychiatric disability and sleep apnea.,Service connection was granted for right lower extremity radiculopathy and left lower extremity radiculopathy secondary to a service-connected back disability, but denied for right wrist disability.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for degenerative disc disease prior to August 1, 2025 was denied as the evidence did not show unfavorable ankylosis of the thoracolumbar spine.,The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy prior to March 10, 2025 were denied as there is no neurological impairment associated with these conditions.
- Denied
The Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches and lumbar spine disability, as well as left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, were denied. The effective dates for these conditions are also denied.
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