The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation, including his past work as an account representative or in systems design.
The deciding factor: VA examinations found that the Veteran’s back disability would adversely affect but not necessarily preclude bending, stooping, running, heavy lifting or carrying more than 25 pounds repetitively or over distances greater than 100 yards and had no adverse effect on sedentary occupational activities or activity.
- Claimed conditions
- left leg sciatic nerve radiculopathy, right leg sciatic nerve radiculopathy, chronic lumbosacral strain with arachnoiditis, tendinitis of the left elbow
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 90%
- Decision date
- July 24, 2023
- Citation
- 23040426
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 23040426.
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 an effective date of August 6, 2021, but no earlier, for the award of a 10 percent rating for right hip strain, impairment of the thigh. Other claims were denied.
- Denied
The Board denied increased ratings for right hand carpal tunnel syndrome, left hand carpal tunnel syndrome, and left leg sciatic nerve radiculopathy as the evidence did not support a higher level of disability.
- Dismissed
The proposed reduction in the evaluation of left leg sciatic nerve radiculopathy from 20 percent to 10 percent was dismissed because no actual reduction had taken place.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral elbow tendinitis are being remanded due to the inadequacy of a previous VA examination and the need for further evaluation.
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.