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Granted

The veteran's mechanical low back pain with osteoarthritic changes and paresthesias of the left lateral foot were evaluated. The RO granted service connection for these conditions, assigned a 20 percent evaluation for the low back pain prior to May 15, 1998, and increased it to 40 percent effective from that date. The veteran's paresthesias of the left lateral foot are currently rated as noncompensable.

The deciding factor: The RO found that the veteran's mechanical low back pain with osteoarthritic changes warranted a 40 percent evaluation starting May 15, 2000 based on moderate to severe limitation of motion and muscle spasm. The paresthesias of the left lateral foot were rated as noncompensable.

Claimed conditions
Mechanical low back pain with osteoarthritic changes, Paresthesias of the left lateral foot
How they argued it
Direct service connection
Exposure basis
None
Rating assigned
40%
Decision date
December 22, 2000
Citation
0033484

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 0033484.

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.

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