The Veteran's musculoskeletal low back pain was not manifested by forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine limited to 60 degrees or less, a combined limitation of motion of the thoracolumbar spine limited to 120 degrees or less, muscle spasms or guarding severe enough to result in an abnormal gait or spinal contour such as scoliosis, reversed lordosis, or abnormal kyphosis, or symptomatology resulting in incapacitating episodes having a total duration of at least two weeks but less than four weeks during a 12-month period. As a result, the Veteran's claim for an increased rating was denied.
The deciding factor: The VA examination findings did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 5237 or any other applicable diagnostic codes.
- Claimed conditions
- musculoskeletal low back pain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- June 10, 2015
- Citation
- 1524802
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 1524802.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board found that service connection was granted for a right shoulder rotator cuff tear injury, but denied claims for heart disorder, sinusitis, left knee disorder, hemorrhoids, and increased ratings for gastroesophageal reflux disease with hiatal hernia and musculoskeletal low back pain. The left foot disability is rated at 20 percent.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for right shoulder and left knee disabilities, but granted service connection and assigned 10 percent evaluations each for gastroesophageal reflux disease with hiatal hernia, musculoskeletal low back pain, postoperative scar on the proximal aspect of the left foot, and a left foot disability (classified as status post arthroplasty with pin fixation of the 2nd digit, osteotomy of the 2nd metatarsal, and bunionectomy).
- Denied
The veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his service-connected post traumatic stress disorder, chondromalacia of the right knee, residuals of a fracture of the first right toe and residual injury to the second right toe, and musculoskeletal low back pain have been denied.
- Denied
The veteran's spondylolisthesis of L4-L5 with musculoskeletal low back pain is currently evaluated at 20 percent and the evidence does not support a higher rating.
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