The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis does not warrant a schedular disability evaluation higher than the current 40 percent rating.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence of record does not demonstrate incapacitating episodes, neurological impairment, tenderness or muscle spasms on palpation, pain upon straight leg raising, or sciatic tension signs due to the low back disability. The veteran's symptoms are primarily attributed to other conditions such as venous stasis disease in the lower legs and generalized osteoarthritis.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbosacral strain, degenerative arthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- January 31, 2005
- Citation
- 0502237
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 0502237.
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.
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