The Veteran's low back disorder is currently evaluated at 20 percent disabling, and the Board finds that a higher rating of 30 percent is warranted based on his thoracolumbar range of motion. The claim for service connection for headaches and left arm disorders are REMANDED.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations show limited flexion in both cervical and thoracolumbar spine, with pain and functional impairment that does not allow for a higher rating under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.
- Claimed conditions
- Spinal stenosis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- December 1, 2014
- Citation
- 1452728
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 1452728.
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.
- Denied
The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, herniated disc, IVDS and spinal stenosis is rated at 40 percent since August 19, 2020. The appeal period did not show unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes of IVDS.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for service connection for his lumbar spine condition and left lower extremity radiculopathy are being remanded due to incomplete service records and a lack of relevant VA treatment records. The Board will seek additional opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis and spinal stenosis of the lumbar spine, finding that symptoms began during service and have persisted since.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her back and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy are remanded due to inadequate VA examinations that did not consider the ameliorative effects of medication on her service-connected conditions.
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