The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected chronic lumbosacral strain was granted, with a rating of 20 percent effective December 6, 2000. The appeal for an earlier effective date than June 30, 1997, for the increase in disability evaluation was denied.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence did not show that there had been an increase in disability within one year prior to the receipt of the veteran's claim on June 30, 1997. The Board found that a 20 percent rating is appropriate for the veteran's chronic lumbosacral strain.
- Claimed conditions
- Chronic Lumbosacral Strain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 6, 2000
- Citation
- 0031776
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0031776.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's left hip disability is currently rated at 10 percent for limitation of extension, and his lumbosacral strain is rated at 10 percent. The Board has determined that neither condition warrants a higher rating.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's chronic lumbosacral strain is currently rated at 40 percent, but the Board finds no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis or functional impairment equivalent to such.,The Veteran's neurogenic bladder condition has been assigned a maximum rating of 60 percent and does not warrant higher ratings.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted. The rating for his chronic lumbosacral strain was reduced from 20% to 10%, but the Board found this reduction improper and restored the original 20% rating.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and chronic lumbosacral strain are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.
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