The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a separate disability rating for radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities as an objective neurological abnormality of his service-connected thoracic spine DDD, finding no evidence of diagnosed radiculopathy and that any peripheral neuropathy is not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected thoracic spine DDD.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence does not show the Veteran has been diagnosed with bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy at any time during the appeal period, and there is no evidence of a causal relationship between his peripheral neuropathy and his service-connected thoracic spine disability.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the thoracic spine, Bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 19, 2022
- Citation
- 22029693
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 22029693.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for SMC based on housebound status and need for aid and attendance, finding that he did not meet the criteria for these benefits prior to the specified dates.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment since December 6, 2012. An earlier effective date of December 6, 2012, for the TDIU and DEA benefits is granted.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to herbicide agent exposure, but denied service connection for bilateral upper extremity neuropathy (diagnosed as bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome) based on the lack of evidence showing a nexus between the condition and service.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder is dismissed.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to January 2, 2023, for the establishment of service connection for tinnitus is denied.,The Veteran's claims for bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are remanded.,The Veteran's claims for a headache disorder and hypertension are remanded.,The Veteran's claim for a heart disorder is remanded.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.