The Board denied higher ratings for the Veteran's service-connected low back disability, left lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy, and right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy due to lack of evidence showing increased severity during the relevant periods.
The deciding factor: The VA treatment records did not reflect treatment related to the low back prior to the July 2011 claim. The Veteran's range of motion was found to be within normal limits, and there was no ankylosis or IVDS documented in the provided evidence.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar strain, degenerative disc disease, arthritis, IVDS (intervertebral disc syndrome), disc bulge L3-4, central canal stenosis L3-4, facet arthropathy, lumbosacral radiculitis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 5, 2024
- Citation
- 24001059
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,592 · Granted: 19% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 24001059.
What this means for you
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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 service connection for tinnitus, arthritis, and memory loss. The decision found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back condition, including degenerative disc disease and scoliosis, due to lack of current disability evidence.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the VA examinations related to the Veteran's lower back condition and surgical scars are inadequate, necessitating a remand for further evaluation.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death and entitlement to DIC due to a failure to obtain a medical opinion prior to the rating decision on appeal regarding whether the Veteran's arthritis was related to his period of active service, and if so, whether it contributed to his death.
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