The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain with osteoarthritis and degenerative disc disease is currently rated at 50 percent, but the Board finds that this rating does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation due to lack of ankylosis or incapacitating episodes.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's range of motion was found to be limited with forward flexion to 40 degrees and extension to 5 degrees during flare-ups, which is below the minimum requirement for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 5237 (lumbosacral strain).
- Claimed conditions
- lumbosacral strain with osteoarthritis and degenerative disc disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- September 1, 2010
- Citation
- 1032911
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 1032911.
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
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