The veteran's service-connected chronic lumbar strain with diffuse lumbar spondylosis and degenerative disc disease has resulted in muscle spasms, reduced range of motion due to pain, loss of lateral motion with narrowing or irregularity of the joint space, a positive Goldthwait's sign, but no severe lumbosacral strain such as listing of the whole spine to the opposite side. The disability also does not result in incapacitating episodes having a total duration of at least four weeks during the past 12 months and has not resulted in forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine limited to 30 degrees or less or favorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine. Therefore, the veteran is entitled to a disability rating of 20 percent for his service-connected condition.
The deciding factor: The VA's examination findings and medical evidence supported a finding that the veteran's service-connected chronic lumbar strain with diffuse lumbar spondylosis and degenerative disc disease met the criteria for a 20 percent rating under the revised General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.
- Claimed conditions
- chronic lumbar strain with diffuse lumbar spondylosis and degenerative disc disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- August 3, 2005
- Citation
- 0520899
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 0520899.
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 Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar myositis, psychoneurosis and conversion hysteria, residuals of shrapnel wounds of the left thigh and pelvis with retained foreign bodies and scars, and residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right thigh and left leg. The veteran was also denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected coronary artery disease, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of his condition.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected musculoligamentous strain, right knee, is currently rated at 10 percent and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted as the evidence shows a current diagnosis of PTSD, an in-service stressor, and a medical link between the two.
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.