The Board has granted service connection for radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities, but denied service connection for chronic pain and an acquired mental disorder.
The deciding factor: The evidence showed a history of back issues that could lead to radiculopathy. The Veteran's current radiculopathy was linked to her service-connected low back disability. Chronic pain and the acquired mental disorder were not found to be related to service or service-connected conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- Radiculopathy of bilateral lower extremities, Acquired mental disorder (bipolar disorder)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 30, 2023
- Citation
- A23030193
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 A23030193.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's disability ratings for radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities have been granted at 40 percent since August 1, 2022. The Board found that his symptoms did not meet criteria for a higher rating prior to this date.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to the Veteran's failure to appear for VA examinations related to his service-connected lumbar spine disability and acquired psychiatric disorder.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided the rating for thoracolumbar spine disability, but remanded the issue of service connection for radiculopathy of bilateral lower extremities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examinations and a pre-decisional duty to assist error.
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