The Board has determined that the veteran's lumbar myositis with degenerative changes of the lumbar spine warrants a 20 percent disability rating for the period from September 28, 2005. The previous 10 percent rating is denied.
The deciding factor: The VA examination findings showed thoracolumbar flexion of only 60 degrees, meeting the criteria for a 20 percent disability rating under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine (Diagnostic Codes 5237 or 5242).
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar myositis, degenerative changes of the lumbar spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- December 21, 2007
- Citation
- 0740258
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 0740258.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy, which is secondary to her degenerative changes of the lumbar spine, has been remanded due to a duty-to-assist error. The Board found that VA did not obtain private medical records from Hiro Chiropractic and Springfield Family Physicians, who treated the Veteran during the period on appeal.
- Denied
The Veteran's lower back disability and radiculopathy were rated at 40 percent, but the Board found no evidence of ankylosis or incapacitating episodes warranting a higher rating.
- Granted
The Veteran's TDIU and DEA benefits are granted effective from April 8, 2010. The Board found that the Veteran was unable to work due to his lumbar myositis starting in April 2010.
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