The VA has determined that the veteran's low back strain with degenerative disc disease does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation, as it does not result in severe limitation of motion, severe lumbosacral strain, or forward flexion limited to 30 degrees or less.
The deciding factor: The VA found that the veteran's low back strain with degenerative disc disease did not meet the criteria for an increased rating under any applicable diagnostic codes due to lack of evidence of severe limitation of motion, severe lumbosacral strain, or forward flexion limited to 30 degrees or less.
- Claimed conditions
- low back strain with degenerative disc disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- December 16, 2008
- Citation
- 0843207
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 0843207.
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.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for migraines, including migraine variants, secondary to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and granted a TDIU rating on an accrued basis.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for increased ratings for cervical spine and low back disabilities to obtain additional medical opinions addressing functional loss during flareups and with repeated use over time.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals have been withdrawn, and the Board has dismissed all issues on appeal.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's claim for an effective date of May 28, 2014 for a 20% rating for service-connected low back strain with degenerative disc disease is granted.,The Board has also remanded the issues of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim for residuals, neck injury, and entitlement to service connection for jaw fracture residuals.
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