The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been granted. She is now receiving a 40 percent disability rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, bilateral plantar fascitis, right hip strain, left hip strain, and OSA.
The deciding factor: The evidence showed moderate to severe symptoms of radiculopathy in the Veteran's lower extremities, which supported a higher disability rating. The claims for service connection were granted based on secondary service connection due to her service-connected lower back disability.
- Claimed conditions
- Right lower extremity radiculopathy, Left lower extremity radiculopathy, Bilateral plantar fascitis, Right hip strain, Left hip strain, Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- April 22, 2026
- Citation
- A26037849
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 A26037849.
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 effective dates of July 10, 2024 for service connection for PTSD, lumbar strain, and left lower extremity radiculopathy.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), finding that both conditions are secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lower back condition and sinusitis, respectively.
- Denied
The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy was evaluated at a 20 percent rating, and the Board found that it did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for a higher level of SMC was denied as the Board found that he is already in receipt of SMC at the (l) rate based on need for regular aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease with congestive heart failure. A second award of SMC at the (l) rate based on need for regular aid and attendance was not warranted.
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