The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected dorsolumbar strain does not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent.
The deciding factor: The VA found no evidence of muscle spasm, guarding or localized tenderness resulting in abnormal gait or spinal contour. The veteran’s range of motion was within normal limits and did not meet criteria for higher ratings under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.
- Claimed conditions
- dorsolumbar strain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- May 31, 2006
- Citation
- 0615732
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,458 · 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 0615732.
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations for his service-connected right shoulder bicipital tendonitis and bursitis, cervical strain, and dorsolumbar strain were denied by the Board. The case is being remanded to consider whether staged ratings are warranted.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination and retrieval of VA outpatient records. The issues include claims for higher ratings for service-connected right shoulder tendonitis/bursitis, cervical strain, and dorsolumbar strain, as well as an issue regarding special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case to the AOJ for scheduling a videoconference hearing due to the Veteran's request. The appeal is not resolved on its merits.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected dorsolumbar strain is currently rated at 20 percent, but the VA examiner found that his current range of motion and flare-ups warrant a higher rating up to 40 percent.
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