The Board granted an initial disability rating of 20 percent for the Veteran's service-connected chronic lumbar strain, finding that his symptoms warranted this higher rating based on forward flexion limited to 48 degrees due to pain. The current rating schedule adequately compensates the Veteran's disability.
The deciding factor: The December 2005 VA examination report showed forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine limited to 48 degrees due to pain, which met the criteria for a 20 percent disability rating under Diagnostic Code 5237.
- Claimed conditions
- chronic lumbar strain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- December 23, 2009
- Citation
- 0948257
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 0948257.
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.
- 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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