The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his service-connected chronic lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease prior to May 16, 2006 was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 20 percent.
The deciding factor: The April 2001 VA examination showed moderate limitation of motion of the lumbar spine (flexion to 40 degrees), but no severe limitation as required by DC 5292. The May 2006 examination report indicated a 20 percent disability rating based on muscle spasm and loss of lateral spine motion, which was consistent with the criteria for a 20 percent rating under DC 5295.
- Claimed conditions
- Chronic lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the lumbar spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- November 10, 2014
- Citation
- 1449917
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 1449917.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected chronic lumbar strain with DDD of the lumbar spine is currently rated at 40 percent, effective May 16, 2006.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar myositis, psychoneurosis and conversion hysteria, residuals of shrapnel wounds of the left thigh and pelvis with retained foreign bodies and scars, and residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right thigh and left leg. The veteran was also denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected coronary artery disease, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of his condition.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected musculoligamentous strain, right knee, is currently rated at 10 percent and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.
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