The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his low back strain with degenerative joint and disc disease was denied as the evidence did not show unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine or incapacitating episodes.
The deciding factor: The VA examination findings showed limited range of motion but no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes that would warrant a higher rating under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.
- Claimed conditions
- Low back strain, Degenerative Joint and Disc Disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- April 5, 2011
- Citation
- 1113449
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 1113449.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's hearing loss and low back strain claims are remanded for further evaluation. The hearing loss claim is denied, while the low back strain claim requires additional examination to determine its severity.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's TDIU and Dependents' Educational Assistance claims have been granted effective from November 23, 2019.,The Board has also remanded the Veteran's increased rating claims for his lumbar and cervical spine conditions.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for low back strain, left shoulder, and supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) based on evidence showing a causal relationship to in-service events or injuries.
- Dismissed
The appeal is dismissed because the March 2020 rating decision, which granted service connection for a low back strain, was never issued and therefore not an appealable decision.
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