The Veteran's lumbar spine strain is rated at a 20 percent rating since March 5, 2009, based on limitation of forward flexion to 80 degrees and other criteria met.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine has normal ranges of motion with no muscle spasm, guarding, localized tenderness or abnormal gait/spinal contour. However, he has credible reports of flare-ups causing pain at an intensity of 10/10 occurring about every 3 weeks.
- Claimed conditions
- Lumbar Spine Strain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- November 16, 2012
- Citation
- 1239208
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 1239208.
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 is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to service-connected PTSD, lumbar spine strain, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity.
- Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder strain, left shoulder strain, lumbar spine strain, and depression as there is no persuasive evidence of current disabilities or a causal relationship to service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance is remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The Board requires an adequate VA examination to clarify whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities cause him to require the aid and attendance of another.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of PTSD and lumbar spine strain, as well as her claim for service connection for hypertension, are being remanded due to the need for additional development. Her TDIU claim is also being remanded in conjunction with these other claims.
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