The Board granted service connection for chronic lumbar strain, finding that the condition was aggravated beyond its normal progression during active service.
The deciding factor: The Board found sufficient evidence to establish that the Veteran's chronic lumbar strain was aggravated by in-service injuries, despite missing service treatment records.
- Claimed conditions
- chronic lumbar strain
- How they argued it
- Aggravation of a pre-existing condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 100%
- Decision date
- March 20, 2025
- Citation
- A25025744
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 Board granted earlier effective dates for the assignment of ratings and service connection based on an intent to file a claim submitted by the Veteran prior to his formal claim.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a 40 percent rating for chronic lumbar strain, restored the 10 percent rating for right knee patellofemoral syndrome effective February 11, 2023, and granted separate 10 percent ratings for instability of the right knee. The decision also granted a 70 percent rating for PTSD from June 8, 2021, and TDIU based on PTSD alone from August 21, 2021, along with SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) based on housebound status from the same date.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and remanded a claim for service connection for sleep apnea.
- Dismissed
The appeal for an increased disability rating for chronic lumbar strain was withdrawn, and the Veteran is granted special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance.
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