The Veteran's low back disability, characterized by spondylolisthesis of the lumbar spine, has not met the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent at any point during the appeal period.
The deciding factor: The evidence shows pain-free forward flexion of the lumbar spine to be at least 60 degrees and 80 degrees in April 2015, which is significantly more than the limitation required for a 40% rating (30 degrees). There is no medical evidence of favorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine.
- Claimed conditions
- spondylolisthesis of the lumbar spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- December 17, 2015
- Citation
- 1552865
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 1552865.
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.
- Partly granted
The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for spondylolisthesis of the lumbar spine and granted a 20 percent rating, but no higher, for left lower extremity radiculopathy.
- Denied
The Board denied entitlement to a rating in excess of 40 percent for the Veteran's back disability, finding that the evidence did not support an increased rating even when considering flare-ups and functional limitations.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for spondylolisthesis of the lumbar spine as proximately due to changes in gait resulting from the Veteran's service connected left ankle and right knee disabilities.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for spondylolisthesis of the lumbar spine has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.
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