The veteran's low back disorder does not warrant more than a 20 percent rating for orthopedic impairment, but it does warrant a separate 10 percent rating for neurological impairment in the left lower extremity.
The deciding factor: The veteran's range of motion was limited by pain and fatigue, resulting in forward flexion to 60 degrees without pain and 75 degrees with pain. The examiner noted no limitation due to incoordination, weakness, lack of endurance, or repetitive use.
- Claimed conditions
- Low back sprain, Degenerative disk disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- April 10, 2007
- Citation
- 0710312
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 0710312.
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 claim for a neck disorder to obtain an adequate VA medical opinion addressing the nature and etiology of the Veteran's current neck condition, including whether it is related to her military service.
- Granted
The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 40 percent from December 12, 2022 onwards. The Board found that a higher rating was not warranted prior to this date.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for increased evaluations for his lumbosacral spine disability was denied. The RO found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, low back sprain, and bilateral pes planus.
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