The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain, radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities, right and left ankle conditions, and irritable bowel syndrome were granted with increased ratings effective March 29, 2020.
The deciding factor: The evidence supported granting service connection for the claimed conditions based on in-service incurrence and continuity of symptoms since discharge. The lumbosacral strain was also rated higher due to limited forward flexion during flare-ups.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbosacral strain, radiculopathy, right lower extremity (RLE radiculopathy), radiculopathy, left lower extremity (LLE radiculopathy), right ankle condition, left ankle condition, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- May 15, 2025
- Citation
- A25043886
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 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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for right foot, left elbow, left hip, left ankle, and diabetes mellitus to obtain additional medical evidence.
- 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.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.