The Board denied the Veteran's increased rating claim for lumbosacral strain, maintaining his current 10 percent disability rating. The issue was that the Veteran's condition did not warrant a higher evaluation based on the evidence provided.
The deciding factor: The VA determined that the Veteran's symptoms and functional impairment were consistent with a 10 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 5237 for lumbosacral strain, which is rated as moderate disability.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbosacral sprain, lumbosacral degenerative disc disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- September 9, 2009
- Citation
- 0933696
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 0933696.
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.
- Denied
The Board found the reduction in disability evaluation from 40% to 20% was improper and void ab initio due to inadequate examination for reduction.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has found that the Veteran's lumbosacral sprain may be service connected, but the left knee disability is remanded for further development due to a duty-to-assist error.
- Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for lumbosacral degenerative disc disease and spondylosis, finding that his current disabilities are related to his active duty service.
- Denied
The Veteran's lumbosacral degenerative disc disease is rated at 20 percent, and his PTSD with depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder is rated at 70 percent. The Veteran also received a TDIU effective April 11, 2023, and SMC based on housebound status effective the same date.
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