The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for her lumbosacral spine disability was granted, and she is now rated at 20 percent effective the date of the grant of service connection (April 30, 2003).
The deciding factor: The VA examinations conducted throughout the appeal period consistently showed forward flexion limited to 45 degrees with pain, which met the criteria for a 20% rating under Diagnostic Code 5292.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative changes of the lumbosacral spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- August 16, 2012
- Citation
- 1228329
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 1228329.
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.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for a rating greater than 40 percent for major depressive disorder is denied. The claim for TDIU is granted.
- Granted
The Veteran's degenerative changes of the lumbosacral spine and spondylolisthesis due to a spinal fusion postoperative with scar are rated at 40 percent from May 4, 2009, to present (exclusive of the period of a total disability rating from November 16, 2009, to December 31, 2009).
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability is being remanded for additional examination and rating considerations.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of consideration of additional evidence and the need for a new VA examination.
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