The Board granted a 20 percent disability evaluation for lumbosacral strain with evidence of herniated disc at L4-L5 and L4-S1, effective from May 13, 1997.
The deciding factor: The veteran's symptoms of low back pain warranted a 20 percent rating under the applicable diagnostic codes, but no higher due to lack of significant objective evidence of lumbosacral pathology.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbosacral strain, evidence of herniated disc at L4-L5 and L4-S1
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- February 11, 2002
- Citation
- 0201404
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 0201404.
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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