The Veteran's low back disability, characterized by lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, has not met the criteria for a higher rating than 20 percent under VA regulations. The evidence shows that his forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine is limited to no more than 50 degrees (60 degrees in some assessments), which does not meet the requirement for an increased rating.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's range of motion, while slightly reduced from previous examinations, did not reach the required level of limitation (30 degrees or less) under VA regulations to warrant a higher rating than 20 percent.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- October 9, 2012
- Citation
- 1234952
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 1234952.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions were granted effective from July 1, 2020.
- Denied
The Board found the evidence persuasive against finding that the Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis is proximately due to, the result of, or aggravated by his service-connected duodenal ulcer, pancreatitis, and cervical spondylosis with IVDS, degenerative disc disease, and stenosis. Therefore, the claim for service connection was denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error, and the case is inextricably intertwined with his TDIU claim.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis is denied as the evidence does not support an increase to a rating higher than 20 percent.
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