The Veteran's low back strain is rated at 20 percent, and his left lower extremity radiculopathy prior to February 16, 2023, and from that date are both rated at 40 percent. The Veteran's left ankle fracture remains at a 10 percent rating, while the left ankle instability receives a separate 10 percent rating as of February 16, 2023.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found that the Veteran’s low back strain does not meet criteria for higher ratings based on ankylosis or IVDS. The left lower extremity radiculopathy prior to February 16, 2023, was rated at 40 percent as it met criteria for moderately severe incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve. From that date, the Veteran's condition did not meet criteria for a higher rating due to less severe symptoms. The left ankle fracture and instability were both rated based on their respective functional limitations.
- Claimed conditions
- Low back strain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- March 14, 2024
- Citation
- 24012011
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 24012011.
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.
- 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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