The Veteran's service-connected low back disability is currently rated at 20 percent prior to April 25, 2014 and 40 percent beginning April 25, 2014.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations conducted in March 2009 and August 2014 did not show any incapacitating episodes or unfavorable ankylosis of the thoracolumbar spine. The Veteran's symptoms were primarily pain with limited range of motion.
- Claimed conditions
- Chronic low back pain, Status post microdiscectomy and fusion
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- September 28, 2015
- Citation
- 1541706
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 1541706.
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
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board has determined that the Veteran is not eligible for benefits under VA's PCAFC program as he does not require personal care services due to inability to perform ADLs or need for supervision, protection, or instruction.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for further development to address issues related to a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to December 21, 2022, and in excess of 40 percent thereafter, for residuals of a fracture of the L2 vertebra with chronic low back pain. The propriety of the separately assigned rating for RLE radiculopathy is also remanded.
- Denied
The Board denied the claim for payment of non-VA medical services provided to the Veteran on November 30, 2015, due to lack of prior authorization and because the treatment was not in response to a medical emergency. The VA facility was feasibly available.
- Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability related to an in-service injury or disease.
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