The Veteran was granted a 40 percent rating for lumbosacral strain from April 30, 2020, and separate 10 percent ratings for mild bilateral sciatic radiculopathy from April 30, 2020, through December 13, 2020. The claims for a higher rating for lumbosacral strain and for compensable ratings for resolved or asymptomatic bilateral sciatic radiculopathy were denied.
The deciding factor: The evidence of record supported the grant of a 40 percent rating for lumbosacral strain due to forward flexion limited to 25 degrees, but not higher. The Veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory disability and increased ratings for other conditions were denied based on the lack of persuasive evidence.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbosacral strain, mild bilateral sciatic radiculopathy, resolved or asymptomatic bilateral sciatic radiculopathy, left foot metatarsalgia, respiratory disability, to include bronchial asthma
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 8, 2025
- Citation
- A25041950
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.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for multiple conditions, including bilateral hearing loss and various musculoskeletal issues, as well as an initial rating in excess of 0 percent for rhinitis. However, the Board granted a 70 percent rating for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- 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.
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