The reduction in the disability rating for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity with sacroiliitis was improper, and a 10 percent evaluation is reinstated effective October 1, 2024. Service connection for COPD and asthma is granted due to Gulf War environmental hazards.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show actual improvement in the Veteran's radiculopathy of the left lower extremity with sacroiliitis, warranting a reduction in disability rating.
- Claimed conditions
- radiculopathy of the left lower extremity with sacroiliitis, respiratory disorder (COPD and asthma)
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- Gulf War
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 5, 2026
- Citation
- A26000331
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 A26000331.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for osteoarthritis of the cervical spine, lumbar spine, hands, and feet. The radiculopathy of both lower extremities is also service connected as secondary to the service-connected osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine. Service connection was denied for rheumatoid arthritis and a respiratory disorder (COPD and asthma).
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back, right knee, and right hip disorders, as well as a respiratory disorder. The VA will obtain medical records and schedule examinations to determine if these conditions are related to service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection, including for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a respiratory disorder (COPD and asthma), nerve damage of the feet, and hyperkeratoses of the feet. The claims are being returned due to incomplete VA treatment records and lack of audiometric test results.
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