The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected lumbosacral strain was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show a level of disability supporting a higher rating than 10 percent, and no earlier effective date is assignable due to lack of factual basis.
The deciding factor: The VA examination conducted in January 2008 showed that the Veteran's lumbosacral strain did not meet the criteria for an increased evaluation beyond 10 percent under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine. The Board also noted that there was no evidence of a factual increase in disability within one year prior to his December 26, 2007 claim.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbosacral strain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- January 19, 2010
- Citation
- 1002755
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 1002755.
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 Board granted service connection for lumbosacral strain and lumbar radicopathy, right side, secondary to the lumbosacral strain.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for lumbosacral strain, finding that the Veteran's low back injury occurred during a period of active duty for training (ADT) and continued therefrom.
- Dismissed
The appeals for restoration of ratings and for a higher disability rating were dismissed as the April 2025 rating decision did not make final decisions on these issues.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, with the exception of remanding certain issues.
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