The Veteran's low back strain with degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine is currently rated at 20 percent, and no higher. The Board denied increased ratings for cervical spine strain, right ankle strain, and left ankle strain.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's low back disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the general rating formula for diseases or injuries of the spine as her range of motion was within the limits required for a 20 percent evaluation. The other issues were also denied due to lack of evidence supporting increased ratings.
- Claimed conditions
- Low back strain with degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- January 4, 2010
- Citation
- 1000332
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1000332.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted an effective date of February 17, 2009 for the award of TDIU based on service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran's claim was pending and new evidence received within one year prior to this decision led to a reopening of his claim.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for her low back strain, cervical spine strain, right ankle strain, and left ankle strain were denied. The current disability ratings of 20 percent for the low back strain and 10 percent each for the cervical spine, right ankle, and left ankle strains are maintained.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar myositis, psychoneurosis and conversion hysteria, residuals of shrapnel wounds of the left thigh and pelvis with retained foreign bodies and scars, and residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right thigh and left leg. The veteran was also denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected coronary artery disease, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of his condition.
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