The Veteran's initial disability ratings for lumbosacral strain and cervical strain with IVDS have been denied. The back disability is rated at 10 percent, while the neck disability was initially rated at 0 percent (noncompensable) from September 22, 2015 to September 27, 2019, and at 20 percent thereafter.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not meet the criteria for higher initial ratings based on incapacitating episodes or under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbosacral strain (back disability), cervical strain with intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- March 21, 2022
- Citation
- 22016281
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 22016281.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's back disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy are granted as service-connected due to in-service vehicle accidents.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his back disability is being remanded due to a duty to assist error. A new VA examination will be scheduled to determine the severity of his condition, including during flare-ups.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is dismissed as moot due to the concurrent grant of service connection in a previous rating decision.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, diagnosed as lumbosacral strain, is granted.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for right hip, left hip, and back disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's active-duty service. The VA medical opinion found no credible evidence that the current disabilities are related to in-service events or injuries.
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