The Board has granted service connection for right hip strain, right sciatic radiculopathy, lumbar degenerative arthritis with intervertebral disc syndrome, cervical strain with intervertebral disc syndrome, and left hip strain as these conditions are found to be at least as likely as not related to the Veteran's military service.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran's testimony and letters from his wife and daughter were persuasive in establishing a continuity of symptomatology since service, despite lack of medical treatment records between service and onset of symptoms. The Board also noted the Veteran's weight gain post-service which could have contributed to his current conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- right hip strain, right sciatic radiculopathy, lumbar degenerative arthritis with intervertebral disc syndrome, cervical strain with intervertebral disc syndrome, left hip strain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 18, 2026
- Citation
- A26014999
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 A26014999.
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 Veteran's service connection claims for lumbosacral strain, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and left hip strain as secondary to lumbosacral strain have been granted. The claim for left hip strain is remanded due to insufficient evidence on whether it was caused or aggravated by the service-connected lumbosacral strain.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, PTSD, and multiple orthopedic conditions, prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded several claims for further action, including effective date determinations and service connection determinations. The Veteran's service records from Portsmouth Naval Hospital are requested to be obtained.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of his right hip disability is denied as the earliest date of entitlement is April 21, 2025.
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