The Veteran's lumbosacral strain was rated at 40 percent, effective September 27, 2021.,Right femoral and sciatic nerve radiculopathies were each rated at 20 percent, also effective September 27, 2021.,Sinusitis was rated at 30 percent, effective September 27, 2021. Rhinitis remained rated at 10 percent.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's lumbosacral strain manifested with forward flexion limited to 30 degrees or less, meeting the criteria for a 40 percent rating under DC 5237.,Right femoral and sciatic nerve radiculopathies were found to have wholly sensory symptoms, qualifying them for a 20 percent rating each under DCs 8526 and 8520 respectively.,Sinusitis was characterized by three to six non-incapacitating episodes per year of sinusitis with headaches, pain, and purulent discharge or crusting, meeting the criteria for a 30 percent rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Lumbosacral strain, Right femoral nerve radiculopathy, Right sciatic nerve radiculopathy, Sinusitis, Rhinitis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- November 21, 2024
- Citation
- A24077228
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 A24077228.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's sinusitis is currently rated at a noncompensable evaluation. The Board has granted a 30 percent evaluation for sinusitis as of February 19, 2021, based on the number and duration of incapacitating episodes requiring antibiotic treatment.
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for higher disability ratings in excess of 20 percent for cervical spine and lumbar spine conditions, left knee condition, right knee condition, and sinusitis. The Veteran was granted service connection for chronic laryngeal papillomatosis.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for the lumbar spine disability prior to October 11, 2022 and since December 1, 2022. The Veteran's claim is currently rated at 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 5242.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis and a lumbosacral strain, is at least as likely as not related to his active service. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.
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