The Board has granted a 40 percent evaluation for lumbosacral strain and a 60 percent evaluation for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, effective from April 30, 1992.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations consistently showed severe symptoms including limited range of motion and pain in the thoracic and lumbar spine, with new compression fractures noted on x-rays. The veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain was found to be severe enough to warrant a higher evaluation.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbosacral strain, degenerative disc disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- August 14, 2002
- Citation
- 0209806
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 0209806.
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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