The Board denied an increased disability evaluation for the veteran's lumbosacral strain secondary to probable minimal compression fracture of L-4, finding that a 40 percent evaluation was warranted prior to March 20, 2000 and denying any higher rating thereafter.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found that the veteran's low back disability resulted in functional loss equivalent to severe limitation of motion, warranting a 40 percent evaluation. The Board noted that there were no findings consistent with actual or functional ankylosis, pronounced intervertebral disc syndrome, or other conditions that would justify a higher rating.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbosacral strain, probable minimal compression fracture of L-4
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- May 7, 2002
- Citation
- 0204190
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 0204190.
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.
- 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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