The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for chronic lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint and disc disease was denied. The claims for an initial rating of 10 percent, but no higher, from April 1, 2015 to December 21, 2021 for left lower extremity radiculopathy and a rating of 20 percent, but no higher, from December 22, 2021 were granted. The claim for an initial compensable rating for low back scar was denied. The Veteran's TDIU claim from August 11, 2020 was granted.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations did not find any evidence of unfavorable ankylosis or significant functional impairment that would warrant a higher rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Chronic lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint and disc disease, Left lower extremity radiculopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- March 29, 2022
- Citation
- 22018503
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 22018503.
What this means for you
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board has granted effective dates of July 10, 2024 for service connection for PTSD, lumbar strain, and left lower extremity radiculopathy.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew the claims for psychiatric disability and sleep apnea.,Service connection was granted for right lower extremity radiculopathy and left lower extremity radiculopathy secondary to a service-connected back disability, but denied for right wrist disability.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for degenerative disc disease prior to August 1, 2025 was denied as the evidence did not show unfavorable ankylosis of the thoracolumbar spine.,The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy prior to March 10, 2025 were denied as there is no neurological impairment associated with these conditions.
- Denied
The Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches and lumbar spine disability, as well as left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, were denied. The effective dates for these conditions are also denied.
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