The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine and bilateral hip disabilities were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating than 20 percent for the lumbar spine disability, and separate compensable ratings (10 percent) were assigned for each hip strain.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was rated at 20 percent based on forward flexion of 40 degrees with additional functional loss during flare-ups. Separate ratings for left and right hip strains were also granted, but both were found to be non-compensable (10 percent).
- Claimed conditions
- lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, degenerative disc disease, and intervertebral disc syndrome (lumbar spine disability), left hip strain, right hip strain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- September 24, 2024
- Citation
- A24060021
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 A24060021.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's service connection claims for lumbosacral strain, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and left hip strain as secondary to lumbosacral strain have been granted. The claim for left hip strain is remanded due to insufficient evidence on whether it was caused or aggravated by the service-connected lumbosacral strain.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded several claims for further action, including effective date determinations and service connection determinations. The Veteran's service records from Portsmouth Naval Hospital are requested to be obtained.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, PTSD, and multiple orthopedic conditions, prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of his right hip disability is denied as the earliest date of entitlement is April 21, 2025.
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