The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his lumbosacral strain with degenerative changes was granted, but the current evaluation remains at 10 percent prior to September 30, 2004.,Effective January 7, 2009, the Veteran is now rated at 40 percent for his service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative changes.
The deciding factor: The criteria for a higher evaluation prior to September 30, 2004 were not met as there was no evidence of ankylosis or intervertebral disc syndrome.,Beginning January 7, 2009, the Veteran's condition manifested bilateral neurological conditions analogous to mild incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbosacral strain with degenerative changes
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- June 8, 2009
- Citation
- 0921487
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 0921487.
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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his left knee disability is dismissed.,Service connection has been granted for lumbosacral strain with degenerative changes and bilateral hip acetabular tears, which are found to be proximately due to his service-connected left knee disability.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the issues of entitlement to increased ratings for lumbosacral strain with degenerative changes, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy due to insufficient evidence.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbosacral strain with degenerative changes, as the evidence did not support a higher disability rating.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for higher initial disability ratings for various conditions are being remanded due to the need to obtain outstanding treatment records from TRICARE.
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