The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine spondylosis with DDD L5-S1 and IVDS, along with left lower extremity of the sciatic and femoral nerves, prevented her from substantially gainful employment from March 2021 to July 2022.
The deciding factor: The evidence was in approximate balance as to whether the Veteran's service-connected conditions prevented her from engaging in substantial gainful employment during the appeal period, and reasonable doubt was resolved in favor of the Veteran.
- Claimed conditions
- Lumbar spine spondylosis with degenerative disc disease (DDD) L5-S1, Intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), Left lower extremity of the sciatic and femoral nerves
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 25, 2025
- Citation
- A25027653
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 service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine, intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), and foraminal stenosis based on a finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's military service.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and a separate rating for traumatic brain injury residuals, finding that the evidence did not support higher ratings.
- Remanded (sent back)
The appeal is remanded for a new VA examination to address the severity of the Veteran's intervertebral disc syndrome without considering the ameliorative effects of medication.
- Partly granted
The Veteran is granted an effective date of October 21, 2019, for a disability rating of 30 percent for left knee meniscal tear, ACL tear, and osteoarthritis status post left total knee replacement.
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