The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected low back condition is well-grounded and VA has satisfied its duty to assist in developing facts pertinent to this claim. The current disability rating of 20 percent, which includes a combination of a 10 percent rating for vertebral deformity due to avulsion fracture at L4-5 and a 10 percent rating for slight limitation of motion of the lumbar spine, is appropriate given the veteran's functional impairment.
The deciding factor: The current disability rating adequately compensates the veteran for his service-connected low back condition, as it reflects slight impairment of the lumbar spine due to limited range of motion and vertebral deformity. The veteran's complaints of increased pain do not warrant a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 5293.
- Claimed conditions
- avulsion fracture at L4-5, fractured coccyx
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- February 9, 2000
- Citation
- 0003259
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 0003259.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
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