The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbar spine strain with degenerative joint disease, L4-5 is denied as the evidence does not show severe limitation of motion or severe lumbosacral strain during the period from August 25, 1999 to May 21, 2010.,After a review of the evidence, the Board finds that the Veteran's symptoms prior to May 21, 2010 do not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent under the applicable criteria.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's range of motion was found to be within normal limits for his condition and did not meet the criteria for higher ratings.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar spine strain with degenerative joint disease, L4-5
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- October 29, 2010
- Citation
- 1040760
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1040760.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The veteran's claim for an initial higher rating for lumbar spine strain with degenerative joint disease, L4-5 is being remanded due to the need for VCAA-compliant notice and additional VA medical records.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar myositis, psychoneurosis and conversion hysteria, residuals of shrapnel wounds of the left thigh and pelvis with retained foreign bodies and scars, and residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right thigh and left leg. The veteran was also denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected coronary artery disease, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of his condition.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's service-connected musculoligamentous strain, right knee, is currently rated at 10 percent and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.
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