The veteran's chronic lumbar strain is rated at 20 percent, but no higher, for symptoms that are not productive of more than moderate limitation of motion on functional use. The other conditions were found to not warrant a compensable rating.
The deciding factor: The limitation of flexion noted on VA examination was to 70 degrees, which is not consistent with even moderate limitation of lumbar motion, and this degree of motion more than offsets any additional limitation of extension that may be considered beyond moderate. There is no evidence of severe symptoms or intervertebral disc syndrome.
- Claimed conditions
- chronic lumbar strain, residuals, status post dislocation of the right little finger, dyshidrotic eczema of both feet
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- January 28, 2009
- Citation
- 0903017
Veterans Law Judge
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 0903017.
What this means for you
A partial grant means some issues were granted while others were denied or remanded — common in multi-issue claims. Look at which issues went which way, and how each was argued.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has denied service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy and a rating in excess of 10 percent for chronic lumbar strain. The claims for migraines and Meniere's disease are remanded.
- Denied
The Board has readjudicated the claim for service connection for chronic lumbar strain due to new evidence submitted after the prior final denial. However, it was determined that the Veteran's current condition is not related to service because his actions leading to the injury were considered willful misconduct.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for a chronic lumbar strain was dismissed due to an impermissible concurrent election of review options.
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