The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent since February 12, 2015. The Board finds that the criteria for a higher rating are met as of September 9, 2010.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease resulted in flexion limited to approximately 30 degrees or less as of September 9, 2010, meeting the criteria for a 40 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 5243.
- Claimed conditions
- Chronic lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- September 30, 2016
- Citation
- 1639021
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 1639021.
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 Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 40 percent for service-connected chronic lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease and entitlement to a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disability. The remand is needed because the VA examinations conducted during the appeal period were inadequate, and an additional examination is required.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease and TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.
- Denied
The Veteran's low back disability was denied for ratings in excess of 10 percent prior to February 6, 2018 and in excess of 20 percent from that date. The Board found the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the limited range of motion.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent for her service-connected chronic lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease and for a total disability rating based on individual unemployment due to inconsistencies in the medical evidence regarding her neurological impairment.
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