The Veteran's low back strain is granted a 40 percent rating, and separate ratings of 20 percent for left lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve) and 10 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve). The increased rating for left ankle traumatic arthritis remains denied.
The deciding factor: The VA examiners found the Veteran's low back strain to be manifested by pain, limitation of motion, and muscle spasm that resulted in abnormal gait or spinal contour. They also noted bilateral radiculopathy associated with his low back strain.
- Claimed conditions
- Low back strain, Left lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve), Right lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- May 19, 2022
- Citation
- 22029548
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 22029548.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's hearing loss and low back strain claims are remanded for further evaluation. The hearing loss claim is denied, while the low back strain claim requires additional examination to determine its severity.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for low back strain, left shoulder, and supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) based on evidence showing a causal relationship to in-service events or injuries.
- Dismissed
The appeal is dismissed because the March 2020 rating decision, which granted service connection for a low back strain, was never issued and therefore not an appealable decision.
- Denied
The Veteran's initial rating for his service-connected low back strain was denied, as the current severity of his condition does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.
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