The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher ratings for his chronic lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint disease, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating higher than 10 percent before January 11, 2008 and a rating higher than 20 percent from January 11, 2008.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations showed limited range of motion without clinical findings in the record indicating muscle spasm or guarding severe enough to result in an abnormal gait or abnormal spinal contour such as scoliosis, reversed lordosis, or abnormal kyphosis. The veteran's symptoms were not severe enough to meet the criteria for a higher rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Chronic Lumbosacral Strain, Degenerative Joint Disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 23, 2008
- Citation
- 0844294
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 0844294.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
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- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for a VA examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of the Veteran's back disability, including whether it is related to service.
- Granted
The Veteran's right knee degenerative joint disease and patellofemoral syndrome were granted a 20 percent rating, effective from January 8, 2021. The Veteran also received restoration of the 20 percent rating for instability of the right knee.
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