The Veteran's service-connected lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease was evaluated at a 20% rating from May 2, 2006 to October 28, 2007. From October 29, 2007 to November 5, 2008, the Veteran's condition met criteria for a 40% evaluation due to forward flexion limited to 30 degrees. Thereafter, from November 6, 2008 to May 21, 2009, the condition did not meet criteria for an increased rating.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease was productive of forward flexion limited to 30 degrees at times during the appeal period, which met the criteria for a 40% evaluation under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine. However, there were no incapacitating episodes or other factors that would warrant an even higher rating.
- Claimed conditions
- status post lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- March 30, 2012
- Citation
- 1211502
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 1211502.
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 service-connected lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent effective March 9, 2007.,The Veteran also seeks TDIU based on his service-connected lumbar spine disability.
- Remanded (sent back)
The veteran is seeking an increased initial disability rating for his service-connected lumbar spine condition. The Board has determined that additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and Social Security Administration (SSA) disability benefits records, is necessary before the claim can be decided.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar myositis, psychoneurosis and conversion hysteria, residuals of shrapnel wounds of the left thigh and pelvis with retained foreign bodies and scars, and residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right thigh and left leg. The veteran was also denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected coronary artery disease, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of his condition.
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