The Veteran's lumbar strain is rated at 40 percent, effective January 31, 2019. The rating for PTSD was increased to 100 percent effective March 20, 2015. The ratings for radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities were restored from zero percent to 10 percent each, effective April 1, 2013.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's lumbar strain was rated at 40 percent based on limitation of flexion less than 30 degrees but not ankylosis. The rating for PTSD was increased to 100 percent as the evidence showed total occupational and social impairment, with symptoms such as suicidal ideation, obsessional rituals, near-continuous panic or depression affecting ability to function independently, appropriate and effectively, and inability to establish effective relationships.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar strain, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), rheumatoid arthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- January 31, 2019
- Citation
- 19107654
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 service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, and systemic lupus erythematosus as there was no evidence of onset during active service or etiological relationship to an in-service injury, event, or disease.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for PTSD to be readjudicated on the merits due to new and relevant evidence.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, resolving reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor based on chronic symptoms shown during service and continuity of those symptoms since service.
- Dismissed
The appeal for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis was dismissed due to a untimely notice of disagreement. The left knee disorder claim is remanded for further action.
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