The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected lumbar strain with degenerative joint disease, finding that his forward flexion is limited to 40 degrees and considering functional loss due to pain. The maximum schedular evaluation under Diagnostic Code 5003 (degenerative arthritis) does not apply as only one major joint or group of minor joints are involved.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's lumbar strain with degenerative joint disease is rated based on limitation of motion, and the current forward flexion measurement meets the criteria for a 20 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 5237.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar strain, degenerative joint disease (DDD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- September 11, 2015
- Citation
- 1538928
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 1538928.
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
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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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