The Board denied service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to lumbosacral strain, restored a 40 percent rating for the Veteran's lumbosacral strain with DJD, DDD, and IVDS effective April 7, 2023, and granted a 30 percent rating for left shoulder subacromial/subdeltoid bursitis and acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis from February 28, 2023.

The deciding factor: The decision was based on the lack of evidence demonstrating a current disability of left lower extremity radiculopathy, while the Veteran's lumbosacral strain with DJD, DDD, and IVDS showed no improvement in function under ordinary conditions of life and work, warranting restoration of the 40 percent rating. The grant for the left shoulder condition was based on limitation of motion.

Claimed conditions

left lower extremity radiculopathy, lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint disease (DJD), degenerative disc disease (DDD), and intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS)

How they argued it

Secondary to another service-connected condition

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

None in this decision

Decision date

October 1, 2025

Citation

A25084762

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