The Board has granted a higher initial rating of 20 percent for the veteran's service-connected chronic low back pain, effective November 17, 2005. The claimant was previously rated at 10 percent prior to this date.
The deciding factor: The VA examination conducted on November 17, 2005, revealed significant functional impairment with a range of motion limited to 0 degrees in extension and flexion up to 55 degrees, left lateral bending to 12 degrees, right lateral bending to 0 degrees, left lateral rotation to 18 degrees, and right lateral rotation to 18 degrees. These findings met the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent under the revised General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.
- Claimed conditions
- tinea pedis, papular rash on both thighs, chronic low back pain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- April 14, 2006
- Citation
- 0610821
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,012 · Granted: 24% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 0610821.
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 has decided to remand the case due to predecisional duty-to-assist errors, including inadequate medical opinions and missed VA examinations. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back condition is being returned to the RO for further action.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's diagnosed bilateral tinea pedis, which is a condition related to service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to errors in considering all conditions and a need for an addendum opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current right great toe / foot disability and his claimed frostbite injury.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected tinea pedis with onychomycosis has been granted increased ratings of 10 percent for both the left and right feet, but no higher.
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