The Board has denied service connection for lumbar spine disability, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, and bilateral knee disabilities as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to military service.,Service connection cannot be granted because there is no showing of chronicity or continuity of symptoms within one year after discharge.
The deciding factor: The VA examiners found that the Veteran's current lumbar spine, radiculopathy, and knee disabilities are less likely than not related to his military service. The examiner noted that the Veteran reported back pain starting in 1998 (approximately 12 years after service), which is more than a decade after discharge.
- Claimed conditions
- Degeneration of lumbosacral spine, with degenerative arthritis thoracic spine, Left lower extremity radiculopathy, with involvement of L4/L5/S1/S2/S3 nerve roots (sciatic nerve), Right lower extremity radiculopathy, with involvement of L4/L5/S1/S2/S3 nerve roots (sciatic nerve), Impairment of the knee, general (left knee, patellofemoral pain syndrome with knee instability and arthritis), Impairment of the knee, general (right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome with knee instability and arthritis)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 30, 2026
- Citation
- A26041005
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 A26041005.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
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