The Veteran's low back disorder is manifested by chronic pain and moderate limitation of motion, but there is no objective evidence indicating severe impairment or incapacitating episodes. The current rating of 20 percent adequately reflects the severity of her disability.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's lumbar spine has been shown to have limited range of motion without additional functional loss due to pain, weakness, fatigue, lack of endurance, or incoordination.
- Claimed conditions
- degenerative disc disease L5-S1, minimal diffuse spondylosis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- April 19, 2010
- Citation
- 1014881
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 1014881.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for cause of death due to new and material evidence. However, the case is remanded as there are insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's cause of death.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in the physical loss or permanent loss of use of one or both hands or feet, severe burn injury, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ankylosis of one or both knees or hips. Therefore, he does not qualify for financial assistance in purchasing a vehicle and adaptive equipment.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lower back disorder, finding that it is due to in-service injuries and continues today.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to a need for a new VA examination to evaluate the current severity of the Veteran's lumbar spine condition.
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