The Veteran's service connection claim for lumbosacral strain with IVDS and degenerative arthritis is granted.,The Veteran's secondary service connection claim for radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities, as related to his service-connected lumbosacral strain with IVDS and degenerative arthritis, is also granted.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the evidence was at least in approximate balance regarding whether the Veteran's current lumbar spine disability began during a period of active-duty service. After resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran, the Board determined that service connection for a lumbar spine disability is warranted.,The Board concluded that the Veteran's radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities was caused on a secondary basis by his service-connected lumbosacral strain with IVDS and degenerative arthritis.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbosacral strain with intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) and degenerative arthritis, raticulopathy of the bilateral lower extremities
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 18, 2026
- Citation
- A26014538
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 A26014538.
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.
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The Veteran is granted SMC at the enhanced R-1 rate due to his need for regular assistance with activities of daily living and a total disability rating, including service-connected conditions such as Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and PTSD.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remanded the case to correct a pre-decisional duty to assist error in failing to obtain an adequate VA examination. The appellant will undergo a new VA examination to determine the severity of his lumbar spine disability.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings and service connection were dismissed due to the filing of a Decision Review Request (NOD) in July 2021, which was not addressed by the AOJ decision in March 2021.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and his service-connected conditions, particularly major depressive disorder with insomnia. The AOJ is instructed to obtain a VA medical opinion addressing causation and aggravation of the Veteran's OSA.
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