The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is manifested by degenerative disk disease, with objective observation of limitation in range of motion to no worse than forward flexion to 70 degrees and combined range of motion no worse than 160 degrees. It has not been shown to be productive of either muscle spasm or guarding severe enough to result in an abnormal gait or abnormal spinal contour such as scoliosis, reversed lordosis, or abnormal kyphosis.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's lumbar spine disability does not meet the criteria for a higher initial rating under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine due to its limited range of motion and lack of associated neurological impairment.
- Claimed conditions
- L5 spondylolsis with first degree L5-S1 spondylolisthesis, degenerative disk disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- July 25, 2012
- Citation
- 1225837
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 1225837.
What this means for you
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbar strain to include thoracolumbar and lumbosacral strain, cervical spine condition, spondylosis, degenerative disk disease, and radiculopathy (spine disabilities). The Board found that these conditions are related to the Veteran's injury during his active duty.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the service connection claim for mid-lower back pain and degenerative disk disease due to a need for an examination to determine the etiology of the disability.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for low back disability and left lower extremity sciatica were denied. The case was remanded for further review.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error regarding the Veteran's back disability. A VA examination is needed to determine if his current back disabilities are caused by an injury during inactive duty for training in September 1978, and whether they are aggravated by his service-connected amputation of the right leg.
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