The VA determined that the veteran's recurrent lumbosacral strain does not warrant a rating higher than 20 percent, as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for more severe disability.
The deciding factor: The veteran's range of motion and neurological examination were found to be essentially normal with no evidence of muscle spasm or positive Goldthwaite's sign.
- Claimed conditions
- Recurrent lumbosacral strain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- October 16, 2008
- Citation
- 0835495
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0835495.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for recurrent lumbosacral strain, finding that the condition originated during active service and is directly related to a back injury sustained while in the military.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for recurrent lumbosacral strain and DDD of the cervical spine due to inadequate examination findings regarding flare-ups, requiring additional retrospective medical opinions.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's recurrent lumbosacral strain prior to November 21, 2016 is rated at 20 percent and denied a higher rating.,The Veteran's recurrent lumbosacral strain from November 21, 2016 is rated at 40 percent and denied a higher rating.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU prior to August 15, 2014 were denied. The right shoulder disability was rated based on limitation of motion.
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