The Veteran's degenerative joint disease and disc disease of the lumbar spine with history of low back strain is granted a 20 percent rating, effective June 15, 2020. A separate 10 percent rating for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is also granted.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's symptoms and functional limitations during the period prior to February 3, 2017 and from June 1, 2017 to June 15, 2020 resulted in an abnormal gait due to muscle spasms and guarding, which more nearly approximated a 20 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 5243.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Joint Disease and Disc Disease of the Lumbar Spine with History of Low Back Strain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- November 17, 2020
- Citation
- 20073511
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
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