The Veteran's service-connected lumbar strain was manifested by pain, numbness, tingling, weakness, fatigue, tenderness, and muscle spasms prior to November 24, 2009. For the period beginning November 24, 2009, her symptoms included pain, flare-ups precipitated by physical activity, tenderness, muscle spasms, and a bulging disc; forward flexion was limited to 55 degrees on repetitive use.,The Veteran's service-connected lumbar strain resulted in symptoms that did not meet the criteria for assignment of a rating in excess of 20 percent. At the November 2009 VA examination, her forward flexion was to 60 degrees and slightly limited to 55 degrees following repetitive use; in February 2013, her forward flexion was to 85 degrees and not limited following repetitive use.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating as they were within the range that warranted a 10 percent disability rating.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar strain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- June 10, 2015
- Citation
- 1524865
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 1524865.
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for service connection for right hand arthritis and left hand arthritis have been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeals for a higher rating for lumbar strain, radiculopathy of the left sciatic nerve, and radiculopathy of the right sciatic nerve have been remanded.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has granted service connection for lumbar strain and lumbar intervertebral disc syndrome with left sciatica. The right lower extremity sciatica claim is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disability, diagnosed as lumbar strain, spinal stenosis and degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the lumbar spine, is causally related to service. As such, service connection for this condition is granted.
- Granted
The Veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle sprain, right ankle sprain, anxiety with situational type phobia, left hip strain, left knee strain, right knee strain, and lumbar strain are granted effective March 3, 2022.,An earlier effective date of March 3, 2022, is assigned for the Veteran's service connection claims.
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