The Veteran's low back disability has been rated at 20 percent since November 25, 2002. The Board finds that the current evidence does not support an evaluation in excess of 20 percent.
The deciding factor: The Veteran’s symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic code.
- Claimed conditions
- Chronic Muscular Strain, Degenerative Instability of L4-5 Disc Degeneration and L5-S1 Degeneration, Developmental Instability with Spondylolisthesis, History of L5-S1 Spondylolysis, L5 Neurocentral Bone Fusion Synchondrosis, Back Sprain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- April 15, 2013
- Citation
- 1312398
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 1312398.
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 claims for increased disability ratings and TDIU were denied, but he was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to PTSD.
- Granted
The Veteran's chronic muscular strain and degenerative disc disease in the thoracic and lumbar spine were granted a rating of 40 percent from May 2, 2018, through August 15, 2018. The symptoms included flexion limited to 12 degrees, abnormal gait, and radiating pain.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his back sprain due to insufficient evidence regarding flare-ups and functional impairment during those periods.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of PTSD and back sprain, as well as his TDIU claim are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and updated VA treatment records.
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