The Board granted a 40 percent rating for the lumbar spine disability, service connection for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the lumbar spine disability, but denied a compensable rating for hypertension. The issues of service connection for foot and knee disabilities were remanded.

The deciding factor: The Board granted service connection for radiculopathy based on the evidence showing that it was caused by the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability, while denying a higher rating for hypertension due to insufficient evidence of diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more or systolic pressure predominantly 160 or more.

Claimed conditions

Lumbar spine disability, Right lower extremity radiculopathy, Left lower extremity radiculopathy, Hypertension, Left foot disability, to include degenerative arthritis, Right foot disability, to include degenerative arthritis, Left knee disability, to include rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, Right knee disability, to include rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis

How they argued it

Secondary to another service-connected condition

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

40%

Decision date

March 3, 2025

Citation

A25019075

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