The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected low back disability was granted, with a current evaluation of 40 percent.
The deciding factor: The RO increased the evaluation to 40 percent based on new evidence received since the last decision.
- Claimed conditions
- low back pain syndrome
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- June 2, 2003
- Citation
- 0311101
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,374 · Granted: 19% (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 0311101.
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 has granted a 20 percent rating for the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability, effective December 14, 2007. The claim for service connection for residuals of TBI is also granted.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to a request for a videoconference hearing and unclear appeal scope. The Veteran's claims for service connection are pending.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a higher disability rating for his low back pain syndrome and lumbosacral myositis, finding that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 40 percent. The claim for TDIU was also denied.
- Denied
The Veteran's request for vocational rehabilitation training outside the United States was denied as her acceptance into a foreign program did not meet the necessary conditions, and requiring her to pursue training in the United States would cause personal hardship.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.