The Board has determined that the appellant's chronic low back syndrome warrants a 60 percent disability rating, effective from February 9, 2004.
The deciding factor: The most recent criteria for rating the appellant's lumbar spine disability are applicable only from September 23, 2002. Since February 9, 2004, the appellant's chronic low back syndrome has been manifested by pronounced intervertebral disk syndrome with persistent symptoms and little intermittent relief resulting in incapacitating episodes of at least six weeks duration in the previous twelve-month period.
- Claimed conditions
- chronic low back syndrome
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 60%
- Decision date
- September 16, 2004
- Citation
- 0425552
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 0425552.
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 Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his lumbar spine condition is denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable rating criteria. Additionally, the Veteran was granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for her chronic low back syndrome was denied, and the claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities other than PTSD was also denied.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including varicose veins, chronic low back syndrome, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, hypertension, and chronic kidney disease, are of sufficient severity to preclude all forms of substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability are met.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his left and right knee disabilities, as well as his low back disability. The issues regarding increased ratings will be reconsidered based on the results of this examination.
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