The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected low back strain with marked degenerative changes at L5-S1, maintaining a 20 percent disability rating.
The deciding factor: The VA examination and medical records did not show evidence of incapacitating episodes, forward flexion limited to 30 degrees or less, or favorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine. The veteran's condition was rated under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.
- Claimed conditions
- Low back strain, Degenerative changes at L5-S1
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- September 8, 2008
- Citation
- 0830406
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 0830406.
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 Veteran's hearing loss and low back strain claims are remanded for further evaluation. The hearing loss claim is denied, while the low back strain claim requires additional examination to determine its severity.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for low back strain, left shoulder, and supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) based on evidence showing a causal relationship to in-service events or injuries.
- Dismissed
The appeal is dismissed because the March 2020 rating decision, which granted service connection for a low back strain, was never issued and therefore not an appealable decision.
- Denied
The Veteran's initial rating for his service-connected low back strain was denied, as the current severity of his condition does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.
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