The Veteran's lumbosacral strain was rated at 40 percent effective February 28, 2022.,An earlier effective date of June 23, 2021 for the increased rating of 30 percent for asthma is granted.,SMC effective from June 23, 2021 is granted.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not support a higher rating for lumbosacral strain beyond 40 percent due to lack of unfavorable ankylosis or functional equivalent thereof.,The Veteran's asthma was rated at 10 percent in June 2021 and increased to 30 percent effective February 22, 2022. The earlier effective date is granted based on continuous prosecution of the claim and consistent findings from VA examinations.,SMC was initially denied as the Veteran did not have additional service-connected disabilities independently ratable at 60 percent or more. With the grant of a higher rating for asthma, SMC is now applicable.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbosacral strain, asthma
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- December 18, 2024
- Citation
- A24084657
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 A24084657.
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 Veteran's respiratory disability, including asthma and COPD, is denied as service connection is not warranted due to the condition being solely attributed to smoking.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the cases of sleep apnea and asthma due to a failure to provide proper notice for a hearing.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for service connection for asthma and a 10 percent rating based on multiple noncompensable service-connected disabilities were dismissed. The claim of entitlement to a compensable rating for eczema was denied, while the claim of entitlement to allergic rhinitis was not addressed as it pertained to different issues.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment prior to August 14, 2023.
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