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.
What this means for you
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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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