The Board has restored the 20 percent rating for the service-connected lumbosacral strain (back disability) effective from June 10, 2015. The initial and increased ratings for the left knee and left ankle disabilities remain denied.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show actual improvement in the ability to function under ordinary conditions of life and work, so the reduction was not proper.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbosacral strain (back disability), left knee strain (left knee disability), left ankle sprain (left ankle disability)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- January 24, 2020
- Citation
- 20006182
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.
- Partly granted
The Board denied increased ratings for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and back disability but granted a TDIU. Several service connection claims were remanded.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but denied service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), left restless leg syndrome, right restless leg syndrome, lumbosacral strain, left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy, right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy, right ankle disability, right ankle scar, and hypertension. The Board also remanded several claims for further development.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for a back disability, neck disability, right shoulder disability, left ankle disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, left elbow disability, and right elbow disability.
- Denied
The Board denied a higher rating for the Veteran's lumbosacral strain (back disability) as there was no evidence of forward flexion limited to 30 degrees or less, favorable or unfavorable ankylosis, intervertebral disc syndrome with associated neurologic abnormalities.
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