The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected residuals of lumbar strain do not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence does not support a finding that the current degenerative disc disease and radiculopathy are related to the service-connected lumbar strain.
- Claimed conditions
- residuals of lumbar strain, degenerative disc disease with radiculopathy of the left lower extremity
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- April 20, 2009
- Citation
- 0914730
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 0914730.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted an annual clothing allowance for the use of a manual wheelchair during the 2022 calendar year due to wear and tear on his clothing caused by the wheelchair.
- Partly granted
The Board has reopened the service connection claims for residuals of lumbar strain, right shoulder strain, right wrist strain, bilateral ankle sprain with degenerative joint disease, and sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD. The new evidence supports a finding that these conditions are related to military service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for further development and consideration of additional evidence.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities result in loss of use of both lower extremities, necessitating the aid of braces, crutches, canes, or a wheelchair. The appeal is being remanded to obtain updated medical records and conduct VA examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected conditions.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.