The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected residuals of a low back injury are currently manifested by pronounced intervertebral disc syndrome, intermittent lumbar radiculopathy, characteristic low back pain, demonstrable muscle spasm and absent ankle jerk. The criteria for an increased evaluation to 60 percent have been met.
The deciding factor: The veteran's symptoms, including pronounced intervertebral disc syndrome, intermittent lumbar radiculopathy, characteristic low back pain, and demonstrable muscle spasm, align with the diagnostic criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 5293 (Degenerative arthritis of the spine).
- Claimed conditions
- Low back injury, Chronic low back strain, Herniated lumbar disc (possible), Degenerative joint disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 60%
- Decision date
- April 11, 2000
- Citation
- 0009698
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 0009698.
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
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for low back injury, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus to allow for further development of evidence.
- Denied
The appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease, and spinal fusion of the lumbar spine was denied as the Veteran failed to attend a necessary VA examination without good cause shown.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine, and the Board has no jurisdiction to review this issue.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for low back injury, groin injury, arthritis (claimed as rib cage injury), and left side nerve damage (claimed as side injury) due to a lack of evidence supporting the claims.
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