The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a higher rating of his service-connected lumbosacral strain with lumbar disc disease was granted, and he is now receiving the maximum disability evaluation. The TDIU claim was also granted as of November 13, 1998.
The deciding factor: The veteran's condition met the criteria for a higher rating effective February 20, 1996, and his unemployability due to service-connected disability was established prior to that date.
- Claimed conditions
- chronic lumbosacral strain, lumbar disc disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 60%
- Decision date
- May 20, 2003
- Citation
- 0309307
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 0309307.
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 granted service connection for left knee strain, lumbar disc disease, and cervical spine disability based on evidence supporting an in-service onset of symptoms that have continued to the present.
- Dismissed
The appeal for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for chronic lumbosacral strain and service connection for right leg condition was dismissed due to an impermissible concurrent election of review options.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the Veteran's claims for a higher disability rating for lumbar disc disease due to inadequate medical examinations.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for a higher rating for chronic lumbosacral strain and service connection for cervical, left ankle, right ankle, right shoulder, and left shoulder conditions to ensure compliance with due process.
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