The Board has granted a 40 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected lumbosacral sprain, effective September 26, 2003. The claim for service connection of a bilateral shoulder disability is also granted.
The deciding factor: The evidence showed significant muscle spasms and mild central bulge of the L5-S1 intervertebral disc in the veteran's lumbosacral sprain, warranting a 40 percent rating under the revised criteria effective September 26, 2003. The claim for service connection was also granted.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbosacral sprain, bilateral shoulder disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- February 24, 2005
- Citation
- 0505176
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 0505176.
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 the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral shoulder disability and increased ratings for her bilateral knee disabilities, finding no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeal concerning the service connection for various disabilities, including bilateral ankle, hip, shoulder, and knee disabilities, as well as an acquired psychiatric disorder and heat sensitivity.
- Dismissed
The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of his claims.
- Dismissed
The Board has dismissed the claims for service connection for bilateral shoulder disability and hypertension as there are no longer any pending issues in controversy. The Veteran's combined disability rating is 100%, but his TDIU claim is moot due to the presence of other disabilities.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.