The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been granted with effective dates of July 31, 2018. The claim for a higher rating for lumbar strain is denied. Service connection has been established for cluster migraine headaches at the maximum available rating (50%). Service connection for radiculopathy in both lower extremities was granted with effective date of July 31, 2018. A TDIU has also been granted.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's claims were continuously pursued from September 4, 2018, and the evidence showed that his lumbar strain disability had increased in severity within one year prior to the date of claim (July 31, 2018). Service connection for radiculopathy was established based on new evidence received after June 11, 2020.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar strain, cluster migraine headaches, radiculopathy, left lower extremity, radiculopathy, right lower extremity
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- September 18, 2024
- Citation
- A24057505
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 A24057505.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for tinnitus, lower back condition, radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities, and bilateral hearing loss.,There is no evidence linking these conditions to service.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for service connection for right hand arthritis and left hand arthritis have been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeals for a higher rating for lumbar strain, radiculopathy of the left sciatic nerve, and radiculopathy of the right sciatic nerve have been remanded.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has granted service connection for lumbar strain and lumbar intervertebral disc syndrome with left sciatica. The right lower extremity sciatica claim is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disability, diagnosed as lumbar strain, spinal stenosis and degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the lumbar spine, is causally related to service. As such, service connection for this condition is granted.
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