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Denied

The Veteran's back disability was characterized by pain and limited to 34 degrees of forward flexion, with less than two weeks of incapacitating episodes over the past year. The Board found that his condition more closely approximated a 40 percent rating.

The deciding factor: The Veteran's range of motion did not decrease after repetitive testing, and he was prescribed bed rest for less than two weeks in the previous year, which does not meet the criteria for an incapacitating episode requiring physician-prescribed bed rest.

Claimed conditions
Chronic lumbar syndrome with degenerative disc disease and lumbar strain (back disability)
How they argued it
Direct service connection
Exposure basis
None
Rating assigned
40%
Decision date
August 18, 2014
Citation
1436816

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 1436816.

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