Throughout the appellate period, lumbosacral strain has been manifested by complaints of non-radiating pain with exertion and no more than slight limitation of motion; muscle spasm on extreme forward bending or loss of lateral spine motion, unilateral, in a standing position has not been shown. The criteria for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbosacral strain are not met.
The deciding factor: The veteran's lumbosacral strain is manifested by complaints of non-radiating pain with exertion and no more than slight limitation of motion; muscle spasm on extreme forward bending or loss of lateral spine motion, unilateral, in a standing position has not been shown.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbosacral strain, amputation of left great toe
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- June 9, 2004
- Citation
- 0414789
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 0414789.
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.
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.