The Board granted an evaluation of 20 percent for bulging disc, lumbosacral strain, effective from May 16, 2023, to June 28, 2024, and denied earlier effective dates for the awards of service connection for left and right leg radiculopathy, as well as for rhinitis and sinusitis.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's bulging disc, lumbosacral strain, was manifested by forward flexion greater than 30 degrees during flare-ups; however, it did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation. The effective dates for service connection were denied as there was no evidence of the conditions prior to the specified dates.
- Claimed conditions
- bulging disc, lumbosacral strain, left leg radiculopathy, right leg radiculopathy, rhinitis, sinusitis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- December 9, 2025
- Citation
- A25105631
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