The Board denied service connection for degenerative arthritis lumbar spine, left lower extremity sciatica, and right lower extremity sciatica as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or caused by the Veteran's military service.
The deciding factor: The December 2020 examiner opined that the Veteran's low back disability was less likely than not related to service due to the lack of chronicity of care for many decades after discharge from service, and the January 2022 private physician's opinion is considered less persuasive given the lack of post-service treatment records regarding symptoms associated with a lumbar spine disability for several years following service.
- Claimed conditions
- degenerative arthritis lumbar spine (low back disability), left lower extremity sciatica, right lower extremity sciatica
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 4, 2025
- Citation
- A25049201
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 denied increased ratings for left and right lower extremity sciatica but granted separate disability ratings for neuritis and neuralgia.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for multiple psychiatric and physical disabilities, including PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, left foot disability, left lower extremity sciatica, low back disability, and left arm disability.
- Dismissed
The appeal seeking service connection for left lower extremity sciatica is dismissed as the benefit was granted in full. The claims for a bilateral foot condition and right lower extremity neurological impairment were denied due to lack of evidence supporting current disabilities.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's allergic rhinitis and sinusitis are service-connected due to exposure to fine particulate matter during her deployment.,The Veteran's lumbar spine condition is service-connected based on onset during active service.,The Veteran's left ankle condition is service-connected as it occurred during reserve service.,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
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