The VA denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for her service-connected lumbar sprain, finding that prior to May 9, 2005, she did not meet the criteria for a disability evaluation in excess of 10 percent. From May 9, 2005, she met the criteria for a 20 percent rating.
The deciding factor: The VA found that the veteran's lumbar sprain prior to May 9, 2005 did not meet the criteria for a disability evaluation in excess of 10 percent. From May 9, 2005, she met the criteria for a 20 percent rating.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar sprain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- February 13, 2006
- Citation
- 0604079
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board granted an earlier effective date of October 2, 2015 for the grant of service connection for lumbar sprain and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to good cause shown for the Veteran's failure to file a Notice of Disagreement within one year of the initial denial.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for her hip and lumbar sprain conditions, finding that the evidence did not support higher disability ratings.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for various conditions, including sciatica, lumbar sprain, DDD of the lumbar spine, degenerative changes of the left knee, mild degenerative arthropathy of the right knee, CTS of both upper extremities, and an acquired psychiatric disorder, to correct a duty to assist error.
- Denied
The Board denied entitlement to an initial rating higher than 20 percent for service-connected lumbar sprain, and noncompensable ratings for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and hypertension.
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