The Veteran's HNP with lumbosacral strain does not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.
The deciding factor: The VA medical examination conducted in November 2005 found no evidence of forward flexion greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 60 degrees, combined range of motion not greater than 120 degrees, muscle spasm or guarding severe enough to result in abnormal gait or spinal contour, or incapacitating episodes.
- Claimed conditions
- Herniated nucleus pulposus (HNP) with lumbosacral strain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 4, 2013
- Citation
- 1311182
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1311182.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected herniated nucleus pulposus with lumbosacral strain has been rated at 20 percent since October 1, 2005. The current physical examination findings do not meet the criteria for a higher rating as her forward flexion is zero to 45 degrees and there is no evidence of favorable ankylosis.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar myositis, psychoneurosis and conversion hysteria, residuals of shrapnel wounds of the left thigh and pelvis with retained foreign bodies and scars, and residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right thigh and left leg. The veteran was also denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected coronary artery disease, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of his condition.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's service-connected musculoligamentous strain, right knee, is currently rated at 10 percent and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.
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