The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with arthritis and degenerative disc disease was rated at 20 percent prior to July 12, 2012, and remains at that rating thereafter. The Board also granted a TDIU based on the combined service-connected disabilities.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with arthritis and degenerative disc disease did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher disability rating under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine, except that he had forward flexion to 85 degrees without pain. The Board granted a TDIU based on his combined service-connected disabilities.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbosacral strain, arthritis, degenerative disc disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- January 28, 2015
- Citation
- 1503947
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 1503947.
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 Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, arthritis, and memory loss. The decision found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.
- Granted
The Veteran's service connection claims for lumbosacral strain, asthma, melasma and hydradenitis, hypertension, an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as depression, anxiety, and stress), left shoulder disorder, right shoulder disorder, left knee disorder, a left foot disorder, and IBS have been granted. The remaining issues are remanded.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back condition, including degenerative disc disease and scoliosis, due to lack of current disability evidence.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the VA examinations related to the Veteran's lower back condition and surgical scars are inadequate, necessitating a remand for further evaluation.
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