The Board granted service connection for sciatic radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities, asthma (claimed as respiratory condition, lung condition, and chronic tussis/cough), and degenerative joint disease/osteoarthritis of the left knee. The claims for flare ups, limited extension, and limited flexion were denied. Several other claims were remanded.
The deciding factor: The evidence supports service connection for sciatic radiculopathy, asthma, and degenerative joint disease based on in-service exposure to fine particulate matter during the Persian Gulf War. The denial of separate disability claims was due to the consideration of symptoms within the overall rating assigned for bilateral knee disabilities.
- Claimed conditions
- sciatic radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, sciatic radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, asthma (claimed as respiratory condition, lung condition, and chronic tussis/cough), degenerative joint disease/osteoarthritis of the left knee
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 21, 2025
- Citation
- A25045521
What this means for you
A partial grant means some issues were granted while others were denied or remanded — common in multi-issue claims. Look at which issues went which way, and how each was argued.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions due to untimely filing of the December 2024 VA Form 10182.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for various conditions and a higher disability rating for PTSD, as the evidence did not support the presence of current disabilities or a nexus to service.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lung condition, finding that the evidence does not support a nexus between the Veteran's lung condition and his military service.
- Partly granted
The Board granted an initial 20 percent rating for sciatic radiculopathy of the left lower extremity and a total disability rating due to individual unemployability prior to April 29, 2019.
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