The Veteran's service-connected chronic low back strain is currently rated at 20 percent, effective March 24, 2012. The Board denied the claims for higher ratings as his disability did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to that date and did not warrant a separate rating for radiculopathy.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's low back strain was manifested by x-ray evidence of arthritis, pain, tenderness, weakness, positive straight leg tests, limitation of forward flexion no less than 40 degrees, and normal gait. The criteria for higher ratings were not met as his disability did not meet the requirements for a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to March 24, 2012 or warrant a separate rating for radiculopathy.
- Claimed conditions
- chronic low back strain, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- December 9, 2014
- Citation
- 1454230
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 1454230.
What this means for you
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The Board has dismissed all service connection claims and rating determinations due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for low back disability and radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities due to a failure to provide adequate reasons or bases in the November 2024 decision as to whether the pre-decisional duty to assist had been satisfied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the AOJ's decision denying eligibility for the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) is not supported by adequate reasoning and must be remanded to allow for a thorough review, including obtaining medical opinions on whether it is in the best interest of the Veteran to participate in the PCAFC program.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities due to conflicting information in the VA-contracted examination report, which requires clarification on the current severity of the service-connected disabilities without considering diabetic neuropathy. The Veteran is not service-connected for diabetic neuropathy.
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