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Denied

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain disability is manifested by x-ray findings of spondylosis, MRI findings of osteoarthritis and degenerative disc disease at L4-5 with secondary mild neural foraminal narrowing. The Veteran has marked limitation of forward bending in the standing position (most severely to 65 degrees), loss of lateral motion, some muscle spasms, and functional impairment due to pain. As these symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic code.

The deciding factor: The medical evidence shows that the Veteran's lumbosacral strain disability is manifested by marked limitation of forward bending in the standing position (most severely to 65 degrees), loss of lateral motion, some muscle spasms, and functional impairment due to pain. These findings do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic code.

Claimed conditions
lumbosacral strain, degenerative disc disease at L4-5, osteoarthritis
How they argued it
Direct service connection
Exposure basis
None
Rating assigned
20%
Decision date
February 22, 2010
Citation
1006540

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 1006540.

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