The Veteran's low back disability was found to not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent prior to July 26, 2007 and 20 percent from that date forward.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's low back disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating schedule due to her symptoms and range of motion limitations.
- Claimed conditions
- mechanical low back pain with degenerative disc disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 20, 2009
- Citation
- 0918981
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 0918981.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the issue of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance or being housebound due to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran needs assistance with daily activities, but a VA examination is required to determine if this need is solely due to her service-connected conditions.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of medical records.
- Remanded (sent back)
The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected low back disability is being remanded to the RO for further development, including a new VA examination.
- Granted
The veteran's service-connected mechanical low back pain with degenerative disc disease is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher 20 percent rating is warranted based on moderate impairment.
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