The Veteran's lumbar muscle strain was initially rated at 10 percent prior to February 28, 2011. Since then, a higher rating of 20 percent has been granted for his degenerative disc disease.,Since February 28, 2011, the Veteran's degenerative disc disease with lumbosacral strain warrants a 20 percent rating.
The deciding factor: The September 2008 VA examination revealed forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 60 degrees but not greater than 85 degrees, and no other compensable symptoms. The February 2011 VA examination showed forward flexion to 90 degrees, which meets the criteria for a 20 percent rating under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar muscle strain, degenerative disc disease, lumbosacral spine, L2-L5
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- May 16, 2012
- Citation
- 1217439
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 1217439.
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 left knee patellofemoral syndrome and lumbar muscle strain are granted service connection as they are related to his military service.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and requests for updated VA treatment records.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to his death.
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