The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability does not warrant a rating in excess of 40 percent.
The deciding factor: The VA examination and treatment records show forward flexion limited to 18 degrees, which is within the criteria for a 40 percent evaluation under Diagnostic Code 5237. The Veteran did not meet the criteria for higher ratings due to ankylosis or other specific findings.
- Claimed conditions
- Chronic lumbosacral strain with degenerative changes
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- March 17, 2015
- Citation
- 1511265
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 1511265.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and development of the claims, including obtaining any outstanding records.
- Denied
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected low back strain and post-herpetic neuralgia of the right axilla and right lateral chest were denied as there was no evidence to support a higher rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation of his chronic lumbosacral strain with degenerative changes was denied. The RO found that the evidence did not support an increase in disability rating beyond 20 percent.
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