The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disorder warrants a 10 percent initial evaluation prior to April 29, 2008 and a 40 percent evaluation on and after April 29, 2008.
The deciding factor: The evidence demonstrated low back pain without limitation of motion or abnormal spinal contour prior to April 29, 2008. On and after that date, the veteran's lumbar spine had limited range of motion but no ankylosis.
- Claimed conditions
- Chronic low back strain with degenerative disc disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- October 1, 2008
- Citation
- 0833825
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 0833825.
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 Veteran's claim for a higher rating for chronic low back strain with degenerative disc disease prior to January 21, 2021 is denied as the evidence does not show forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine to 30 degrees or less.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for chronic low back strain with degenerative disc disease from January 21, 2021 is denied as the evidence does not show unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been remanded due to the need for further evaluation of his conditions.
- Granted
The Veteran's PTSD with a depressive disorder NOS is rated at 70 percent, effective from the date of the decision. The issue of an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for chronic low back strain with degenerative disc disease is remanded.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected chronic low back strain with degenerative disc disease is currently rated at 40 percent, and the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects the severity of her disability. The evidence does not support a higher evaluation.
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