The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected low back strain with degenerative changes was denied as the evidence did not show flexion of more than 30 degrees, which is required for an increased rating under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.
The deciding factor: The clinical records showed that the Veteran's range of motion in his back was always greater than 30 degrees for flexion, thus not meeting the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic code.
- Claimed conditions
- Low Back Strain with Degenerative Changes
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- February 27, 2012
- Citation
- 1207238
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 1207238.
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 Board has remanded four issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities: PTSD, low back strain with degenerative changes, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and recurrent right ankle sprain. The remand requires VA to obtain treatment records from the Taylor Street Vet Center in Washington, D.C., and to schedule the Veteran for examinations by appropriate clinicians to determine the current severity of his service-connected disabilities.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's PTSD symptoms cause occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks.,Low back strain with degenerative changes causes loss of forward flexion to 90 degrees prior to September 20, 2019 and to 60 degrees thereafter.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The decision found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not warrant a compensable rating, while his low back strain with degenerative changes was rated at 20 percent from May 1, 2007. The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to November 6, 2013, was also denied.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea, a right elbow condition, left and right knee conditions, cervical spine condition, dermal rash on both legs, type II diabetes mellitus, and low back strain with degenerative changes has been granted. The Veteran’s current disability of low back strain with degenerative changes is rated at 20 percent effective June 11, 2012.,The issue of entitlement to compensable initial ratings for left and right shoulder tendonitis remains pending.
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