The Veteran's disability rating for chronic lumbosacral muscle strain, degenerative changes and lumbosacral spine instability, and sacroiliac arthritis was restored to 40 percent effective March 1, 2016. For the entire rating period on appeal, a higher disability rating is denied.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show sustained improvement in the Veteran’s lumbar spine disability necessary for a reduction from March 1, 2016.
- Claimed conditions
- chronic lumbosacral muscle strain, degenerative changes and lumbosacral spine instability, sacroiliac arthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- August 27, 2020
- Citation
- 20056714
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 20056714.
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 claims for sacroiliac pain and arthritis were denied in April 2019. The VA Form 10182 received by the VA on April 27, 2022 was not valid as it did not identify an appealable decision regarding the issues with which the Veteran disagreed.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's diagnosed lumbar and sacroiliac arthritis, which is confirmed by radiographic imaging, is related to service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for a low back disorder is granted.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his service-connected lumbar strain was denied as the condition does not meet the criteria for an increased rating under VA regulations.
- Granted
The Veteran's lumbar disorder, including sacroiliac arthritis, is considered to be due to his service-connected right knee disability and thus granted.
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