The Veteran's lumbar spine strain with degenerative changes of L3-L4 is currently rated at 20 percent, effective March 24, 2006. The claim for an increased rating is denied as the disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's lumbar spine strain with degenerative changes did not result in limitation of motion to 30 degrees or less, nor was there evidence of favorable ankylosis, which are required for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar spine strain, degenerative changes of L3-L4
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- March 24, 2010
- Citation
- 1011016
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 1011016.
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 a temporomandibular joint disorder, sleep disorder (claimed as obstructive sleep apnea), lumbar spine strain, and cervical spine degenerative arthritis, all secondary to the Veteran's service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder. The claim for traumatic brain injury was denied.
- Dismissed
The appeal for higher ratings and special monthly compensation was withdrawn by the Veteran before a decision was made.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and service connection for various conditions, as well as initial ratings higher than noncompensable for dermatitis and hypertension, and a rating higher than 20 percent for lumbar spine strain.
- Granted
The Veteran's psychiatric disability was granted a 100 percent rating, and special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate was also granted from March 31, 2011.
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