The veteran's service-connected mechanical low back pain is rated at a 10 percent evaluation since October 1, 1995. The claim for an increased rating remains in controversy as the current evaluation does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.
The deciding factor: The VA examination findings did not indicate muscle spasm or loss of lateral spine motion, unilateral, in standing position, which would be required for a higher 20 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 5292. The veteran's slight limitation of motion was found to be consistent with the current 10 percent evaluation.
- Claimed conditions
- Mechanical low back pain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- September 6, 2002
- Citation
- 0211473
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 0211473.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied the appeal for service connection of mechanical low back pain, finding no current disability and concluding that the March 1999 rating decision was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous.
- Denied
The Board denied an increased disability rating in excess of 20 percent for the service-connected back disability and an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for the right lower extremity radiculopathy.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of individual unemployability (TDIU) is remanded due to new evidence received within one year of the February 2010 rating decision, which indicates that the Veteran was unable to work due to PTSD.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for mechanical low back pain and lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease L3-4 was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion or other factors. Service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy and left lower extremity radiculopathy were also denied as there is no evidence of secondary service connection.
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