The Board granted restoration of a 20 percent rating for the Veteran's back disability and denied ratings in excess of 10 percent for acid reflux, as well as higher ratings for left and right femoral nerve radiculopathy. The Board also remanded several service connection claims.

The deciding factor: The decision was based on the evidence showing no improvement in the Veteran's ability to function under ordinary conditions of life and work, and that the current disability picture did not warrant a higher rating.

Claimed conditions

musculoligamentous strain of the lumbar spine with degenerative disc disease and arthritis of the spine, acid reflux, radiculopathy of the left femoral nerve, radiculopathy of the right femoral nerve, pes planus, sleep apnea, headaches, digestive disability, ganglion cyst (right wrist), ganglion cyst (left wrist)

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

20%

Decision date

March 6, 2025

Citation

A25020845

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