The Board granted a restoration of a 20 percent evaluation for the Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain, effective April 11, 2022, and also granted an increased rating to 40 percent from September 17, 2020.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show improvement in the Veteran's ability to function under ordinary conditions of life and work, thus supporting a restoration of the previous rating and granting a higher one based on the severity of symptoms reported during flare-ups and after repetitive use.
- Claimed conditions
- Lumbosacral strain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- July 1, 2025
- Citation
- A25056997
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the Veteran's claims for additional VA examinations to properly evaluate the current severity of her disabilities.
- Dismissed
The appeal is dismissed due to res judicata, as the issues were previously adjudicated and are now barred from further review.
- Dismissed
The appeal was dismissed due to untimely filing of the Notice of Disagreement (NOD) for claims related to an increased rating and service connection, as well as lack of jurisdiction over a previously granted claim for sinusitis.
- Granted
The Veteran was granted separate ratings of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance, a higher rating under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(o), and a higher rating under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(r)(1).
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