The Board denied a higher evaluation for the veteran's lumbosacral sprain with pain on motion, finding that it did not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent.
The deciding factor: The disability resulted in intermittent muscle spasms and pain but did not meet the criteria for severe lumbosacral strain or neurological symptoms as required by the applicable rating criteria.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbosacral sprain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- December 7, 2000
- Citation
- 0031983
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 0031983.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The appeal of the proposed reduction in the Veteran's rating for a lumbosacral sprain is dismissed as it was not a final adjudicative decision.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for lumbosacral sprain, while remanding the claims for left hip strain, right hip strain, left knee instability, right knee instability, and tachycardia.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board denied the appeal for an earlier effective date for award of service connection for lumbar spine disability, which was affirmed by a Court Order. The case is remanded to address a CUE claim in the June 1981 rating decision.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remanded the claim for service connection of a low back disability because additional development is needed, including an adequate etiology opinion.
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