The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including optic neuritis, glaucoma, diplopia, and a right eye cataract due to multiple sclerosis, weakness of the Right Lower Extremity (RLE), weakness of the Right Upper Extremity (RUE), weakness of the Left Lower Extremity (LLE), and lumbosacral strain due to multiple sclerosis, are all rated at 40 percent.
The deciding factor: The veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the criteria for a 40 percent rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.
- Claimed conditions
- Optic neuritis, Weakness of the Right Lower Extremity (RLE), Weakness of the Right Upper Extremity (RUE), Weakness of the Left Lower Extremity (LLE), Weakness of the Left Upper Extremity (LUE), Lumbosacral strain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- September 16, 2004
- Citation
- 0425460
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 0425460.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for the lumbar spine disability prior to October 11, 2022 and since December 1, 2022. The Veteran's claim is currently rated at 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 5242.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis and a lumbosacral strain, is at least as likely as not related to his active service. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to a deficiency in the April 2024 VA medical examination, specifically regarding passive range of motion testing for pain.
- Granted
The Veteran's lumbar disorder, diagnosed as DDD and a lumbosacral strain, has been granted service connection. The Board found that the disability is related to his military service.
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