The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected low back injury, finding that the disability did not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent under the applicable VA rating criteria.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show findings of forward flexion of 30 degrees or less or unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine, which would be required for a higher evaluation under Diagnostic Code 5237.
- Claimed conditions
- low back injury
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- February 14, 2006
- Citation
- 0604227
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.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for a neck injury, left shoulder injury, and low back injury as the evidence did not support that these conditions began during active service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.
- Partly granted
The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection for low back injury, denied service connection for sinusitis and allergic rhinitis, and denied a higher disability rating for PTSD. The claim for service connection for pain of left shoulder was remanded.
- Dismissed
The veteran withdrew the appeal for service connection for a bilateral knee injury and low back injury, and these issues are therefore dismissed.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for a low back injury to the RO for initial consideration of new and relevant evidence.
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