The Board granted restoration of the 40 percent evaluation for lumbosacral strain and denied an increased rating in excess of 40 percent. The claims for service connection for a thoracic back condition and TDIU were remanded.
The deciding factor: The reduction from 40% to 20% was improper as there was no material improvement or improvement in the Veteran's ability to function under ordinary conditions of life and work, while an increased rating was not supported by evidence showing worsening symptoms.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbosacral strain, thoracic back condition (claimed as chronic back pain), compression fracture of the T5 vertebral body
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- April 2, 2025
- Citation
- A25030379
What this means for you
A partial grant means some issues were granted while others were denied or remanded — common in multi-issue claims. Look at which issues went which way, and how each was argued.
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 lumbosacral strain, finding that the Veteran's low back injury occurred during a period of active duty for training (ADT) and continued therefrom.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a 20 percent rating for right leg sciatica with radiculopathy pain and paresthesia, but denied increased ratings for PTSD, lumbosacral strain, left wrist limitation of motion with ganglion cyst, and service connection for headaches, unspecified. Several issues were remanded.
- Dismissed
The appeals for restoration of ratings and for a higher disability rating were dismissed as the April 2025 rating decision did not make final decisions on these issues.
- Partly granted
The Board denied a disability rating greater than 10 percent for tinnitus and a rating greater than 20 percent for lumbosacral strain, but granted a 20 percent rating for left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy and right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy.
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