The Board found that the veteran's service-connected chronic lumbosacral strain does not warrant a higher than 10 percent rating due to limitations in range of motion and no findings of ankylosis or other severe disability. The current 10 percent rating is appropriate based on the examination findings.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found that the veteran's lumbar strain did not result in limitation of forward flexion to 60 degrees or less, nor any abnormal gait or spinal contour. The range of motion limitations were noted but did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.
- Claimed conditions
- chronic lumbosacral strain, disc herniation of the cervical spine, degenerative joint disease, right hip
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- December 24, 2008
- Citation
- 0844680
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 0844680.
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.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for specially-adapted housing assistance and a special home adaptation grant was denied because he does not meet the criteria for either benefit based on his service-connected disabilities.
- Granted
The Board has granted the restoration of entitlement to total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA), effective May 1, 2020. The decision was made due to procedural errors in the previous termination decisions.
- Granted
The Veteran's initial disability ratings for chronic lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities, and depression have been granted. The Veteran also received a TDIU effective from January 21, 2009.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to errors in fulfilling its duty to assist, specifically regarding obtaining private treatment records from Dr. R and a retrospective medical opinion.
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