The Veteran's costochondritis, lumbosacral strain, and right lower extremity radiculopathy have been rated based on their service-connected status. The initial compensable disability rating for costochondritis has not been met due to subjective accounts of pain without functional loss or other evidence of impairment. Increased ratings for the back issues are denied as there is no additional evidence showing more severe symptoms beyond what was already established at the time of the June 2012 decision granting a 10 percent disability rating for right ankle disability.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's costochondritis has been rated under Diagnostic Code 5399-5321, which is based on subjective accounts of pain without evidence of functional impairment or other abnormality. The current VA examination did not provide information regarding the range of motion and its impact on the Veteran's ability to perform daily activities.
- Claimed conditions
- Costochondritis, Lumbosacral strain, Right lower extremity radiculopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 8, 2017
- Citation
- 1720685
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 1720685.
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy was evaluated at a 20 percent rating, and the Board found that it did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew the claims for psychiatric disability and sleep apnea.,Service connection was granted for right lower extremity radiculopathy and left lower extremity radiculopathy secondary to a service-connected back disability, but denied for right wrist disability.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for degenerative disc disease prior to August 1, 2025 was denied as the evidence did not show unfavorable ankylosis of the thoracolumbar spine.,The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy prior to March 10, 2025 were denied as there is no neurological impairment associated with these conditions.
- Denied
The Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches and lumbar spine disability, as well as left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, were denied. The effective dates for these conditions are also denied.
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