The Veteran's appeals for higher initial ratings for lumbar strain with DDD and HNP, LLE radiculopathy, and RLE radiculopathy were denied because he failed to appear for a VA examination scheduled in September 2019.
The deciding factor: The Veteran failed to report for the required VA examination, which is a requirement for his claims to be considered valid.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease (DDD) and herniated nucleus pulposus (HNP), left lower extremity (LLE) radiculopathy, right lower extremity (RLE) radiculopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 9, 2020
- Citation
- 20046072
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 20046072.
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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates and increased ratings were dismissed as the appeal requests were not timely filed.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeal, so the Board dismissed it.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.
- Granted
The Board granted the Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his service-connected chronic lumbar spine disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy in a May 2024 rating decision. The appellant is eligible to attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded as a result of this decision.
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