The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 20 percent since January 12, 2015. The cervical spine disability was initially rated at 10 percent prior to October 22, 2014 and increased to 20 percent thereafter. Adjustment disorder with anxious and depressed mood does not warrant a higher rating. Service connection for left hip sciatica is denied.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's low back disability resulted in forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 60 degrees, meeting the criteria for a 20 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 5237. The cervical spine disability was rated at 10 percent prior to October 22, 2014 and increased to 20 percent thereafter due to forward flexion limited to 14 degrees prior to that date and 45 degrees with pain since then.
- Claimed conditions
- Low back disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- April 13, 2016
- Citation
- 1615024
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 1615024.
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 denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and an increased rating for his acquired psychiatric disorder. The Board found that there was no evidence linking the current disabilities to military service.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected low back disability alone does not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and bilateral hip disability, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased disability evaluation and effective dates are being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to address the severity of his low back disability, including whether he has experienced incapacitating episodes of IVDS.
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