The veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative changes is currently rated at 20 percent, which reflects the severity of his symptoms and functional limitations.,The veteran's residuals of a shell fragment wound of the left hand are currently rated at 10 percent, reflecting the presence of pain without other significant complications such as ulceration or malnutrition of the scar.
The deciding factor: The veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative changes is manifested by limitation of forward bending and osteoarthritis-arthritic changes, warranting a higher evaluation.,The residuals of the shell fragment wound of the left hand are currently rated at 10 percent due to pain without other significant complications such as ulceration or malnutrition of the scar.
- Claimed conditions
- Lumbosacral strain with degenerative changes, Residuals of a shell fragment wound of the left hand with retained foreign body and bone loss of the second metacarpal, Residuals of a fracture of the distal end of the left clavicle
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 13, 2002
- Citation
- 0202367
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 0202367.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied increased ratings for bladder cancer, heart disease, PTSD, back condition, and sciatic nerve radiculopathy.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates for various service-connected conditions, including frostbite residuals of the upper and lower extremities, left hip strain, tinnitus, depressive and alcohol use disorders, radiculopathy, anosmia, right upper eyelid scar, cervical spine disability, and lumbosacral strain.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment since May 31, 2007. The Board granted TDIU effective that date.
- Remanded (sent back)
The reduction of the rating for lumbosacral strain with degenerative changes from 20 to 10 percent, effective May 9, 2016, was not proper; the 20 percent rating is restored. The increased rating in excess of 20 percent for a low back disability is remanded.
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