The Veteran's low back strain disability is granted an increased rating of 20 percent, but no greater. The adjustment disorder with depressed mood due to joint pain of the low back strain, bilateral knees, bilateral shoulders, and left ankle strain is granted a 50 percent initial rating, but no greater.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's lumbosacral strain disability was found to have muscle spasm or guarding severe enough to result in an abnormal gait, warranting a 20 percent rating under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine. The adjustment disorder with depressed mood disability was found to approximate occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent initial rating.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbosacral strain (low back strain), adjustment disorder with depressed mood due to joint pain of low back strain, bilateral knees, bilateral shoulders, and left ankle strain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- December 30, 2024
- Citation
- A24086634
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 A24086634.
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
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