The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disk disease (DDD) of the low back with intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), DDD of the cervical spine, and left lower extremity radiculopathy. Service connection was denied for right lower extremity radiculopathy, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and right upper extremity radiculopathy.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran's low back and cervical spine conditions had their onset during service and have been recurrent since then, linking them to her current disabilities. The Board also found that the Veteran’s left lower extremity radiculopathy was caused by her service-connected back disability. However, there is no evidence of right lower extremity radiculopathy.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disk disease (DDD) of the low back with intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), DDD of the cervical spine, Left lower extremity radiculopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 17, 2020
- Citation
- 20073751
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
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Partly granted
The Veteran was granted an effective date of July 31, 2012, for TDIU and October 22, 2012, for service connection of left and right lower extremity radiculopathy.
- Denied
The appeal for higher ratings and effective dates for various conditions was denied, with the exception of left and right lower extremity radiculopathy which were granted an earlier effective date.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's cervical spine disability is granted a 30 percent rating, while the lumbar and lower extremity radiculopathy claims are denied. An earlier effective date for right lower extremity radiculopathy was granted, and TDIU based on single service-connected disability is remanded.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for a separate 50 percent initial rating for insomnia as secondary to tinnitus, and denied an increased rating for tinnitus. The Board also granted service connection for headache disability, low back disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, cervical spine disability, and right upper extremity radiculopathy.
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