The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for chronic lumbar strain was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating prior to February 9, 2012 and since then.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations showed limited range of motion with no ankylosis or neurological manifestations, which precluded higher ratings under the applicable diagnostic codes.
- Claimed conditions
- Chronic Lumbar Strain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- January 14, 2016
- Citation
- 1601761
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 1601761.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) as his service-connected disabilities have not rendered him unable to obtain or perform substantially gainful employment.
- Granted
The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted from October 3, 2014, due to his service-connected PTSD, lumbar spine, and right knee disabilities preventing him from obtaining substantially gainful employment.
- Denied
The Veteran's ED is not found to be secondary to his service-connected conditions of chronic lumbar strain and left shoulder biceps tendinitis, and the Board denied service connection for this condition.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for further evaluation and determination of service connection for kidney stones, which were not addressed in the original decision.
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