The VA has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease with chronic lumbar strain and assigned a 20 percent evaluation, effective March 2006. The veteran's disability is manifested by normal to slight limitation of motion.
The deciding factor: The veteran's back disability does not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent as it only manifests mild functional loss due to pain and no ankylosis or incapacitating episodes.
- Claimed conditions
- degenerative disc disease with chronic lumbar strain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- October 31, 2008
- Citation
- 0837765
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 0837765.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has ordered a remand for the VA to provide an opinion on whether the Veteran's current back disability is related to an in-service injury, addressing continuity of symptomatology and post-service injuries. The claim will be readjudicated after this.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA spine examination to determine if the veteran's current back disability is related to an in-service injury. The claim will be readjudicated after this development.
- Remanded (sent back)
The veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new examination and notification regarding increased rating claims.
- Denied
The Board determined that the veteran's current lumbar spine disability is not related to his in-service injury, and thus denied service connection for degenerative disc disease with chronic lumbar strain.
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