The Veteran's service-connected low back disability is not productive of limitation of flexion to 60 degrees or less, a combined range of motion of the thoracolumbar spine not greater than 120 degrees, muscle spasm or guarding severe enough to result in an abnormal gait or spinal contour such as scoliosis, reversed lordosis, or abnormal kyphosis, ankylosis of any kind, neurologic impairment, or incapacitating episodes having a total duration of at least two weeks but less than four weeks during the past twelve months. As such, the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent have not been met.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's lumbar spine disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes as there is no evidence of limitation of flexion to 60 degrees or less, a combined range of motion of the thoracolumbar spine not greater than 120 degrees, muscle spasm or guarding severe enough to result in an abnormal gait or spinal contour such as scoliosis, reversed lordosis, or abnormal kyphosis, ankylosis of any kind, neurologic impairment, or incapacitating episodes having a total duration of at least two weeks but less than four weeks during the past twelve months.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbosacral spine strain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- September 1, 2015
- Citation
- 1537382
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 1537382.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for a lumbosacral spine strain with degenerative arthritis, finding that the evidence did not support a link between the current condition and an in-service injury.
- Dismissed
The appeal for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbosacral spine strain is dismissed. The reduction of the ratings for left and right knee limitations of extension are found to be improper, and the original ratings are restored.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for increased rating and TDIU have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal.
- Granted
The Veteran's prescribed topical skin medication, triamcinolone cream, caused irreparable damage to his clothing and the Board granted a clothing allowance for 2020 based on this.
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