The Board found that the Veteran's lumbar spondylolysis did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating, thus denying his claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations showed no evidence of forward flexion limited to less than 60 degrees or combined range of motion greater than 120 degrees, which are required for a 20% rating under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar spondylolysis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- July 13, 2016
- Citation
- 1627957
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 1627957.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spondylolysis is found to be the primary cause of his obstructive sleep apnea, and he is granted service connection for OSA as secondary to this condition. The effective date remains April 28, 2000.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbar spondylolysis and lumbosacral strain is granted. The Board found that the current disability is related to his military service.
- Denied
The Veteran's lumbar disability was rated at 20 percent disabling, and the Board found that this rating is not in accordance with the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to April 30, 2015 for the grant of service connection for spondylosis was denied. The claim for a higher initial rating for spondylosis (lumbar spondylolysis) was also denied.
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