The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a disorder manifested by neurological symptoms of the left lower extremity, including a lumbar spine disability with radiculopathy, finding that there was no evidence to support direct service connection and noting that the presumption of herbicide exposure did not apply.
The deciding factor: The Board found that while the Veteran had a current diagnosis of lumbar radiculopathy, it was less likely than not related to his military service, including any herbicide exposures. The medical records showed resolution of back symptoms during active service and no chronic back condition starting during service.
- Claimed conditions
- left lower extremity neurological symptoms, lumbar spine disability with radiculopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 8, 2020
- Citation
- 20058943
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 20058943.
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 a right shoulder disability and remanded the claims for lumbar spine, thoracic spine, right hip, left knee, right knee, left ankle, right ankle, and bilateral foot disabilities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability with radiculopathy, left shoulder condition, residuals of a head injury, hypertension, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to insufficient medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims for increased compensation ratings for bilateral hip disabilities and granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability with radiculopathy.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for left upper and lower extremity neurological symptoms, finding that the Veteran's complaints began during active service and have persisted without resolution.
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