The Board denied the veteran's claims for ratings in excess of 10 percent for lumbosacral strain and postoperative fracture of the right wrist and hand, finding that his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher ratings based on limitation of motion or neurological manifestations.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found no significant radiating pain from the low back condition and noted normal gait, balance, and posture. The veteran's postoperative fracture of the right wrist and hand had limited range of motion but did not show ankylosis or other severe orthopedic impairment.
- Claimed conditions
- Lumbosacral strain, Postoperative fracture of the right wrist and hand
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 7, 2008
- Citation
- 0804364
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 0804364.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for the lumbar spine disability prior to October 11, 2022 and since December 1, 2022. The Veteran's claim is currently rated at 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 5242.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis and a lumbosacral strain, is at least as likely as not related to his active service. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to a deficiency in the April 2024 VA medical examination, specifically regarding passive range of motion testing for pain.
- Granted
The Veteran's lumbar disorder, diagnosed as DDD and a lumbosacral strain, has been granted service connection. The Board found that the disability is related to his military service.
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