The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint and disc disease, as well as associated neurological symptoms including radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve in both lower extremities, erectile dysfunction, and neurogenic bladder symptoms, have been granted a 40 percent rating since November 30, 2010.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint and disc disease resulted in significant neurological impairment including radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve affecting both lower extremities, erectile dysfunction, and neurogenic bladder symptoms. These conditions were found to meet the criteria for a 40 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 8520 (sciatic nerve) and Diagnostic Code 7542 (neurogenic bladder).
- Claimed conditions
- lumbosacral strain, degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine, degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, IVDS (intervertebral disc syndrome), degenerative sacroiliac joints, erectile dysfunction (ED), neurogenic bladder with voiding dysfunction, irritable bowel syndrome
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- September 19, 2019
- Citation
- 19173201
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 19173201.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's service connection claims for lumbosacral strain, asthma, melasma and hydradenitis, hypertension, an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as depression, anxiety, and stress), left shoulder disorder, right shoulder disorder, left knee disorder, a left foot disorder, and IBS have been granted. The remaining issues are remanded.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for adhesions as secondary to irritable bowel syndrome, finding that there was no nexus between the claimed condition and service or a service-connected disability.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for asthma, hypertension with residuals including stroke, DM II, bilateral amputation of all toes, and diabetic neuropathy to obtain VA medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.,The Board also remanded the claim for ED as it is inextricably intertwined with the DM II claim.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew their appeal for service connection of a lumbosacral strain, resulting in the dismissal of this issue.
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