The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for her service-connected lumbosacral and cervical muscle strain disabilities, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations and treatment records showed moderate to mild limitations in motion of both lumbar and cervical muscles, but no signs of more severe conditions such as disc disease or radiculopathy. The veteran's symptoms were described as intermittent discomfort rather than consistent pain or disability.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbosacral muscle strain, cervical muscle strain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- May 8, 2003
- Citation
- 0308707
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,643 · Granted: 15% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 0308707.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claim for Total Disability Individual Unemployability (TDIU) prior to September 26, 2020. The decision was based on evidence showing the veteran could perform sedentary work and was gainfully employed until October 31, 2014.
- Denied
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical spine disability, bilateral upper extremity radiculopathies, and mechanical low back strain have been denied. The VA has provided multiple remands to gather additional evidence and conduct examinations.
- Granted
The Board has restored the Veteran's 20 percent rating for his service-connected cervical spine disability, effective June 21, 2017. The higher than 20 percent and compensable ratings for restrictive lung disease and tension headaches remain denied.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability, including degenerative disc disease and intervertebral disc syndrome. The appeal regarding an increased rating for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability was withdrawn by the Veteran.
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