The Veteran's low back disability was rated at 10 percent prior to May 1, 2005 and increased to 20 percent as of that date.
The deciding factor: The June 2009 VA examination showed the Veteran had flexion between 50 and 70 degrees with painful motion, which met the criteria for a 20 percent rating under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries to the Spine effective September 26, 2003.
- Claimed conditions
- L5-S1 disc bulge, chronic coccydinia
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- December 6, 2010
- Citation
- 1045663
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 1045663.
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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluation and service connection have been dismissed due to the Veteran's request for withdrawal of these appeals prior to a decision being made.
- Granted
The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease, facet arthropathy and L5-S1 disc bulge has been granted a 40 percent disability rating effective January 9, 2015.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the AOJ for development of his pending increased rating claims and readjudication after any necessary development has been completed. The TDIU claim will be considered in conjunction with these new developments.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that an examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's L5-S1 disc bulge was permanently worsened by his May 2005 period of INACDUTRA, and whether this worsening was beyond the natural progression of the disorder.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.