The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, left lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral nerve), right lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral nerve), and left shoulder strain have been granted. The Veteran is now rated at the maximum 40 percent disability rating for his lumbar spine condition.
The deciding factor: The preponderance of the evidence supports granting higher ratings based on the severity of the Veteran's symptoms, which include pain, weakness, and limited motion in his lower extremities and shoulder. The medical records consistently document these issues without indicating any other service connection theories or exposure bases.
- Claimed conditions
- Lumbar Spine Degenerative Arthritis, Left Lower Extremity Radiculopathy (Sciatic Nerve), Right Lower Extremity Radiculopathy (Femoral Nerve), Left Shoulder Strain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- January 19, 2022
- Citation
- 22002417
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 22002417.
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 right shoulder disability, low back condition, bilateral knee disabilities, and left shoulder strain have been granted service connection. The Veteran's low back condition has been increased to a 40 percent evaluation, while the bilateral knee conditions remain at their current 10 percent evaluations.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for a left shoulder strain and assigned a 20% rating effective March 16, 2023. The appellant is eligible to the direct payment of attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded in the November 2023 rating decision.
- Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left shoulder strains, finding that the current ratings of 20% are appropriate based on limited motion in both shoulders.
- Granted
The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 40 percent, and his left and right lower extremity radiculopathy are each rated at 40 percent. The issues of increased ratings for these conditions have been granted.
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