The veteran's service-connected residuals of a low back injury are currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher evaluation of 40 percent is warranted based on severe lumbosacral strain.
The deciding factor: Severe lumbosacral strain with characteristic pain on motion, muscle spasm, and limited forward bending in the standing position.
- Claimed conditions
- Low back injury
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- April 28, 2005
- Citation
- 0511958
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 0511958.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for low back injury, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus to allow for further development of evidence.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for low back injury, groin injury, arthritis (claimed as rib cage injury), and left side nerve damage (claimed as side injury) due to a lack of evidence supporting the claims.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided that the Veteran's low back disability may be related to his active service, but needs further evidence before a decision can be made.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for a low back injury. The case is now remanded for further action, including obtaining a VA medical opinion.
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.