Veterans’ RightsAn independent resource for veterans
← All decisions
Denied

The Veteran's increased rating for low back disability and earlier effective date are denied. Service connection for bilateral lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy is granted as secondary to the service-connected low back disability.

The deciding factor: There was no factual increase in the level of disability within one year prior to the Intent to File, and the Veteran's radicular symptoms were found to be less likely due to his service-connected myofascial lumbar syndrome.

Claimed conditions
myofascial lumbar syndrome
How they argued it
Secondary to another service-connected condition
Exposure basis
None
Rating assigned
40%
Decision date
November 27, 2023
Citation
23062573

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 23062573.

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.

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.