The Veteran's low back disability was initially rated at 10 percent, and later increased to 20 percent effective September 14, 1998. The claim for a higher rating remains pending.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence did not show more than moderate limitation of motion or other disabling manifestations warranting an initial rating in excess of 20 percent prior to April 9, 2003, and no more than severe intervertebral disc syndrome from that date. The Veteran's radiculopathy was also considered.
- Claimed conditions
- low back strain, lumbar disc disease, central stenosis, facet hypertrophy, spondylolysis
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- April 10, 2009
- Citation
- 0913551
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 0913551.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew all his appeals, including the one for an increased rating for low back strain.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for athletes' foot, low back strain, and plantar fasciitis due to a lack of a VA examination prior to the August 2020 rating decision.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a low back strain has been withdrawn, resulting in the dismissal of this issue.
- Granted
The Veteran's spondylolysis was granted a 40 percent rating from November 25, 2013 to October 26, 2023. The condition resulted in forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine being limited to 20 degrees during use over time.
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