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Granted

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was rated at 20 percent prior to January 8, 2014 and is now granted. The issues of a higher rating are addressed in the remand section.

The deciding factor: The VA examination conducted on January 8, 2014 showed forward flexion limited to 45 degrees with pain at that point, meeting the criteria for a 20 percent evaluation under Diagnostic Code 5243.

Claimed conditions
Degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with intervertebral disc syndrome and surgical scar
How they argued it
Direct service connection
Exposure basis
None
Rating assigned
20%
Decision date
November 20, 2014
Citation
1451493

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 1451493.

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.

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