The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his lumbar and cervical spine disabilities were partially granted, with the lumbar spine disability receiving a temporary 20% rating from March 29, 2011 to June 12, 2018, while the cervical spine disability received a permanent 20% rating from March 29, 2011 to May 1, 2014.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations showed that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability had limited range of motion and pain, but did not meet the criteria for higher ratings due to ankylosis or IVDS. The cervical spine disability met the criteria for a 20% rating based on its limitation in forward flexion.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbosacral strain (lumbar spine disability), cervical strain (cervical spine disability)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- February 24, 2022
- Citation
- 22010687
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 22010687.
What this means for you
A partial grant means some issues were granted while others were denied or remanded — common in multi-issue claims. Look at which issues went which way, and how each was argued.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The appellant is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits, effective September 1, 2020.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's increased rating claims for various joint and headache disabilities are being remanded due to inadequate examination reports that did not consider all of the Veteran's symptomology.
- Denied
The Veteran's lumbosacral strain was granted service connection with a 20% disability rating. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and left knee disability were denied.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral strain, left lower extremity femoral nerve radiculopathy, and left lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is found to be directly related to his active-duty service. His left lower extremity radiculopathies are also found to be due to his service-connected lumbar spine disability.
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