The Board has granted service connection for intervertebral disc syndrome and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, as well as generalized anxiety disorder. The past due benefits awarded in the June 2024 rating decision are eligible for direct payment of attorney fees at a rate of 20%. Service connection for GAD was not initially granted, so no fees can be paid from the July 2024 rating decision.
The deciding factor: The initial claim for service connection for back pain was denied in May 2008. The February 2024 claim sought service connection for a mental health disorder and back pain, which included radiculopathy. As this was an original claim, the June 2024 rating decision granting service connection is considered the initial decision with respect to the case.
- Claimed conditions
- intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), bilateral lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- April 15, 2026
- Citation
- A26035031
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 A26035031.
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 tinnitus is granted as service-connected, with a rating of 10 percent.,The Veteran's back disability remains at a 40 percent rating. The Board finds the evidence does not support an increase to higher ratings.,The Veteran's radiculopathy of the femoral nerve in both lower extremities are each granted initial 20 percent ratings.,Service connection for GAD, bilateral hearing loss, and chronic kidney pain is remanded.,A compensable disability rating (greater than 0 percent) for chronic kidney infections is also remanded.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for right foot disability status post Mitchell's bunionectomy is granted with an effective date of July 25, 2023.,The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for left foot disability status post Mitchell's bunionectomy is dismissed as it does not meet the criteria for an earlier effective date.
- Denied
The Veteran's appeal for earlier effective date for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) prior to August 8, 2024, and dependency benefits from June 1, 2025, to August 8, 2025, for the school-aged child are both denied.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for service connection of intervertebral disc syndrome, traumatic arthritis of the spine with stenosis, and status-post spinal fusion is dismissed due to the Veteran's death.
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