The Board has determined that the appellant's low back disability warrants a 40 percent evaluation, which is the highest rating available under Diagnostic Code 5293 for intervertebral disc syndrome. The evidence does not support a higher rating as there is no pronounced level of disability required for a 60 percent rating.
The deciding factor: The appellant's low back disability has been evaluated based on severe lumbosacral strain, which aligns with the criteria for a 40 percent evaluation under Diagnostic Code 5293. The evidence does not support a higher rating as there is no pronounced level of disability required for a 60 percent rating.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbosacral strain, L4-5 radiculopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- April 17, 2001
- Citation
- 0111135
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 0111135.
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.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for lumbosacral strain and lumbar radicopathy, right side, secondary to the lumbosacral strain.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for lumbosacral strain, finding that the Veteran's low back injury occurred during a period of active duty for training (ADT) and continued therefrom.
- Dismissed
The appeals for restoration of ratings and for a higher disability rating were dismissed as the April 2025 rating decision did not make final decisions on these issues.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, with the exception of remanding certain issues.
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