The Veteran's low back strain with degenerative joint disease was rated at 10 percent from January 17, 2007 to February 24, 2012.
The deciding factor: The May 2007 and November 2008 VA examinations indicated that the Veteran had a range of motion in his thoracolumbar spine between 60-85 degrees for forward flexion, which is indicative of a 10 percent rating under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.
- Claimed conditions
- Low back strain with degenerative joint disease (DJD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- April 29, 2014
- Citation
- 1418935
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 1418935.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The case is remanded for additional development to ensure compliance with prior remand instructions, specifically regarding the adequacy of examinations and addressing the Veteran's TBI manifestations.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for low back strain with degenerative joint disease was denied, and his claim for TDIU was granted.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to a rating in excess of 20 percent for low back strain with DJD and entitlement to TDIU due to inadequate medical opinions and issues being intertwined.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected low back strain with DJD was denied, as the evidence did not show symptoms or functional impairment that resulted in unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for sciatic radiculopathy affecting both lower extremities were also denied.
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