The Veteran's low back disability was rated at 20 percent prior to February 11, 2009 and increased to 40 percent effective from that date. The current rating is based on the severity of his symptoms.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's symptoms have worsened such that he now requires a higher rating under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine, specifically due to limitation of forward flexion to 25 degrees from February 11, 2009.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease L2-3, L4-5, and L5-S1, Multiple herniated discs with multiple areas of nerve root compression and foraminal narrowing and stenosis at L4/5, L5/S1
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- May 9, 2011
- Citation
- 1117764
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 1117764.
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
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- Denied
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- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted as the evidence shows a current diagnosis of PTSD, an in-service stressor, and a medical link between the two.
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