The Board granted earlier effective dates for the service connection of lumbosacral strain status post-surgery, back scar associated with lumbosacral strain status post-surgery, right ankle strain, and medial compartment narrowing of the left knee, but denied increased ratings for these conditions.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's back disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to limited forward flexion and other factors, while earlier effective dates were granted based on evidence showing the disabilities existed prior to the claim date.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbosacral strain status post-surgery, right ankle strain, medial compartment narrowing of the left knee
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 16, 2025
- Citation
- A25052738
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 a right ankle strain, finding that the Veteran's current condition is etiologically related to an in-service right ankle sprain.
- Partly granted
The Board granted an initial evaluation of 20 percent for left and right ankle strains, denied a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss, and remanded claims for hypertension and gout.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss as there was no evidence that it met a compensable level during the period on appeal.
- Denied
The Board denied earlier effective dates for the grant of service connection and initial increased ratings for various conditions, as well as remanded several issues for further development.
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