The Board denied an increased rating above the 60 percent assigned for a low back disorder from June 27, 2001, through April 12, 2004.
The deciding factor: For the period in question, the veteran did not have complete ankylosis of the lumbosacral spine or prolonged periods of hospitalization due to his low back disorder. There was no marked interference with employment beyond that contemplated by the Rating Schedule.
- Claimed conditions
- low back disorder, including sacroiliitis, sacralization of L5 with pseudoarthrosis and degenerative joint disease at L5-S1 and degenerative disc disease at L4-L5, and lumbosacral strain with L4-L5 disc bulge
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 16, 2009
- Citation
- 0902100
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.
- Dismissed
The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's death while it was pending.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for a low back disorder to obtain additional medical evidence and ensure that the Veteran is afforded every possible consideration.
- Dismissed
The appeal for service connection for a low back disorder was dismissed as the RO granted service connection in a November 2023 rating decision.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a low back disorder to obtain additional evidence and an adequate medical opinion in compliance with previous remand instructions.
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