The Veteran's reduction from a 40 percent to a 20 percent rating for spondylolisthesis of the lumbar spine was improper and has been restored.,An effective date of July 13, 2015, is granted for service connection of left lower extremity radiculopathy. Effective dates prior to August 11, 2015, are denied for bilateral patellofemoral pain syndrome and tinnitus.,The Veteran's initial rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy remains at 20 percent.,Initial ratings greater than 20 percent for left lower extremity radiculopathy, right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and tinnitus are denied.
The deciding factor: The reduction was improper due to lack of actual improvement in the Veteran's ability to function under ordinary conditions.,Earlier effective dates were not warranted as there is no evidence of informal claims or other indications of earlier entitlement for these conditions.,Left lower extremity radiculopathy has been present since July 13, 2011.
- Claimed conditions
- spondylolisthesis of the lumbar spine, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, tinnitus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- October 4, 2023
- Citation
- 23054919
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 23054919.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, arthritis, and memory loss. The decision found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.
- Granted
The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The issues of foot disability and cardiovascular disorder are remanded for additional development.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran experienced tinnitus during his active duty service.
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