The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbosacral strain is denied.,The Veteran's claims for compensable disability ratings prior to October 1, 2019, and in excess of 20 percent thereafter, for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity are denied.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating prior to October 1, 2019, and in excess of 20 percent thereafter, for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is denied.
The deciding factor: There is no evidence showing forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine to 30 degrees or less.,The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy did not show at least mild incomplete paralysis prior to October 1, 2019, and more than moderate incomplete paralysis thereafter.,The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy did not show at least mild incomplete paralysis prior to October 1, 2019, and more than moderate incomplete paralysis thereafter.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbosacral strain, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 28, 2021
- Citation
- 21004879
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 21004879.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew their appeal for service connection of a lumbosacral strain, resulting in the dismissal of this issue.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, finding that it is related to his in-service injury. The claimant did not contest this decision.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability, including degenerative arthritis and IVDS. The decision is based on the Veteran's in-service injury during active duty and his continuous symptoms since then.
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