The Board granted a 40 percent initial disability rating for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, degenerative disc disease, and intervertebral disc syndrome; 20 percent initial disability ratings for right lower extremity radiculopathy and left lower extremity radiculopathy; and a 10 percent disability rating for limitation of extension in the left hip due to osteoarthritis. The claim for a compensable disability rating for left ear hearing loss was denied.

The deciding factor: The evidence demonstrated an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence regarding the severity of the Veteran's conditions, leading to the grant of ratings based on moderately disabling symptoms.

Claimed conditions

lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, degenerative disc disease, and intervertebral disc syndrome, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, limitation of extension in the left hip due to osteoarthritis, left ear hearing loss

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

None in this decision

Decision date

November 10, 2025

Citation

A25097436

Want to see how appeals like this one tend to go? Appeals like mine