The Board granted increased ratings for the Veteran's low back strain and right ankle strain, as well as a TDIU prior to December 23, 2022, and an effective date of December 21, 2017, but no earlier, for DEA benefits.

The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran's low back strain manifested in functional impairment equivalent to favorable ankylosis, and his right ankle strain had marked limitation of motion with constant pain and difficulty walking and standing for long periods of time.

Claimed conditions

low back strain with intervertebral disc syndrome, right ankle strain, left ear hearing loss disability, depressive disorder with moderate tobacco use disorder, left ankle disability (remanded), lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy (left and right) (remanded)

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

40%

Decision date

March 5, 2025

Citation

A25020001

Want to see how appeals like this one tend to go? Appeals like mine