For the period prior to July 28, 2012, the Veteran's low back disorder was manifested by pain with occasional flare-ups aggravated by physical activity such as long periods of standing, walking, lifting, bending, and twisting. The disability resulted in limitation of motion approximating forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 30 degrees.,For the period since July 28, 2012, the Veteran's low back disorder has been manifested by pain with occasional flare-ups aggravated by physical activity such as long periods of standing, walking, lifting, bending, and twisting. The disability resulted in limitation of motion approximating forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine to 30 degrees at worst.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's low back disorder has not shown ankylosis or unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine, and the evidence reflects that his disability more closely approximated forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine to 30 degrees or less than any higher rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Low back disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- July 1, 2014
- Citation
- 1429770
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 1429770.
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for a low back disorder was reopened, and his claims for increased ratings of bilateral knee instability were granted. His hearing loss claim was denied.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, bilateral knee disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder, finding that the evidence did not show an in-service onset or relationship to service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disorder and bilateral knee disorders due to duty to assist errors prior to the rating decision on appeal. The Veteran is not prejudiced as a remand is necessary to correct these errors.
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