The reduction of the Veteran's chronic low back strain disability rating from 40 percent to 20 percent was proper based on recent VA examinations showing improvement in his condition.
The deciding factor: Recent VA examinations demonstrated improvement in the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine condition, with less limitation of motion and no additional functional loss during repetitive testing.
- Claimed conditions
- chronic low back strain, left lower leg radiculopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- April 16, 2013
- Citation
- 1312538
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 1312538.
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.
- Dismissed
The veteran withdrew the appeal for effective dates prior to September 27, 2024, for the awards of service connection for various knee and back conditions.
- Partly granted
The Board granted an earlier effective date of February 15, 2013 for the grant of an increased 40 percent rating for a low back disability. The other issues were remanded.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from April 29, 2018.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board denied an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for a lower back disability and remanded claims for a higher rating, TDIU, and extraschedular consideration.
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