The Veteran's low back disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the evidence does not support a higher rating based on current symptoms.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's range of motion was found to be limited but within the criteria for a 20 percent rating under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine. There were no findings indicating ankylosis, muscle spasm, or other factors that would warrant a higher rating.
- Claimed conditions
- disc degeneration of the lumbar spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- February 2, 2016
- Citation
- 1603451
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 1603451.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected back disability. The case will be readjudicated after these actions.
- Denied
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- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected coronary artery disease, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of his condition.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected musculoligamentous strain, right knee, is currently rated at 10 percent and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.
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