The Veteran's service-connected chronic strain of the lumbar spine is manifested by forward flexion greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 60 degrees, warranting a rating of 20 percent.
The deciding factor: Forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine was found to be limited to 55 degrees at the May 2009 VA examination, meeting the criteria for a 20 percent rating under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.
- Claimed conditions
- Chronic strain of the lumbar spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- November 2, 2010
- Citation
- 1041104
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 1041104.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 40 percent from December 12, 2022 onwards. The Board found that a higher rating was not warranted prior to this date.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the cervical spine and chronic strain of the lumbar spine due to the need for contemporaneous VA examinations.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased rating and TDIU due to inadequate findings in a previous VA examination, and for additional information regarding her employment status.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a new VA examination of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and proper development of her TDIU claim.
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