The appeal for service connection for low back disorder and left lower extremity radiculopathy is dismissed as moot. The appeals for service connection for piriformis syndrome, an acquired psychiatric disorder (Generalized Anxiety Disorder), and limitation of motion of the right hand fourth metacarpal are remanded.
The deciding factor: The August 2025 rating decision granted service connection for a lower back sprain and left lower extremity radiculopathy effective from September 4, 2024. These awards represent a full grant of the benefits sought on appeal.
- Claimed conditions
- Low back sprain (lumbosacral sprain), Left lower extremity radiculopathy, Limitation of motion of the right hand fourth metacarpal with post-traumatic arthritis, Piriformis syndrome, Acquired psychiatric disorder (Generalized Anxiety Disorder)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 4, 2026
- Citation
- A26010220
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 A26010220.
What this means for you
A dismissal means the Board did not decide the issue on its merits — usually because it was withdrawn or had become moot. It says more about procedure than about whether a claim like this can win.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board has granted effective dates of July 10, 2024 for service connection for PTSD, lumbar strain, and left lower extremity radiculopathy.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew the claims for psychiatric disability and sleep apnea.,Service connection was granted for right lower extremity radiculopathy and left lower extremity radiculopathy secondary to a service-connected back disability, but denied for right wrist disability.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for degenerative disc disease prior to August 1, 2025 was denied as the evidence did not show unfavorable ankylosis of the thoracolumbar spine.,The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy prior to March 10, 2025 were denied as there is no neurological impairment associated with these conditions.
- Denied
The Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches and lumbar spine disability, as well as left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, were denied. The effective dates for these conditions are also denied.
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