The Board granted the appeal challenging the propriety of the reduction in ratings for PTSD and lumbosacral strain, restoring their respective ratings from August 1, 2021. The Board also remanded claims for increased rating for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy and entitlement to TDIU.
The deciding factor: The reductions were improper due to a lack of material improvement in the Veteran's conditions as required by regulation, and an inadequate examination was used to support the reduction.
- Claimed conditions
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Lumbosacral Strain, Left Lower Extremity Radiculopathy (Femoral), Right Lower Extremity Radiculopathy (Femoral)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 100%
- Decision date
- November 5, 2024
- Citation
- A24072029
What this means for you
A partial grant means some issues were granted while others were denied or remanded — common in multi-issue claims. Look at which issues went which way, and how each was argued.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Partly granted
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, except for a 20 percent rating for lumbosacral strain.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, as it needs a medical opinion addressing the nature and etiology of the condition prior to October 16, 2023.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.
- Partly granted
The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another since September 30, 2020.
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