The Veteran's service-connected low back disability is not shown to have been manifested by limitation of thoracolumbar spine forward flexion to 30 degrees or less, and incapacitating episodes of disc disease and/or separately ratable neurological manifestations are not shown. Therefore, a rating in excess of 20 percent is not warranted.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's low back disability does not meet the criteria for an increased rating under any applicable diagnostic code as his range of motion was within normal limits with no additional limitation after repetitive use testing and he did not have incapacitating episodes of intervertebral disc syndrome over the previous 12 months.
- Claimed conditions
- Low Back Strain, Sciatica
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- January 14, 2014
- Citation
- 1401925
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 1401925.
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 Board has granted a rating of 40 percent for the Veteran's service-connected low back strain with degenerative arthritis, effective from September 26, 2008. The decision is based on functional limitation equivalent to forward flexion limited to 30 degrees or less due to pain and other symptoms.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran's low back strain is rated at 40 percent, and the issues of IBS and CFS are dismissed. The Veteran's PTSD and depressive disorder with a major depressive episode do not meet criteria for a higher rating. Service connection is granted for cervical strain and right knee pain.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's low back strain disability was denied a higher rating prior to July 20, 2020. Separate ratings of 10 percent were granted for radiculopathy affecting the sciatic and femoral nerves in the lower extremities from July 20, 2020.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted initial ratings of 40 percent for sciatica of the right and left lower extremities, effective from the date of the January 2021 rating decision.
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