The Veteran's service-connected low back disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, effective from June 21, 2006 to February 4, 2008 and from December 19, 2008. From February 5, 2008 to December 18, 2008, the disability is rated as 20 percent disabling. The Veteran also has a separate 10 percent evaluation for right lower extremity radiculopathy associated with his lumbosacral spine disorder effective from December 11, 2007.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations and treatment records consistently showed the Veteran's low back disability to be manifested by forward flexion of the lumbar spine to at least 60 degrees, which is within normal limits. The presence of radiculopathy was also noted, warranting a separate evaluation for right lower extremity radiculopathy.
- Claimed conditions
- Chronic lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- June 3, 2013
- Citation
- 1317971
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 1317971.
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's chronic lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease is granted a 20% rating, effective January 30, 2017. The Veteran's surgical scar is also granted a 10% rating.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's GERD is related to his service-connected back disability, specifically the Motrin he was prescribed in 1998.
- Remanded (sent back)
The appeal for an extra-schedular rating for PTSD is denied. The issues of service connection for acid reflux and right shoulder strain are remanded.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board found that a higher rating was not warranted based on the evidence of record.
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