The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability has been productive of forward flexion to 60 degrees at worst with pain on motion and functional loss, but not by favorable ankylosis. The criteria for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent have been met.
The deciding factor: The VA examination findings showed forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine to be 60 degrees at worst, which meets the criteria for a 20 percent rating under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar spine disc disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- October 21, 2016
- Citation
- 1641313
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 1641313.
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
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- Denied
The Board denied an extension of the temporary total rating beyond October 31, 2009 for the Veteran's lumbar spine disc disease.
- Denied
The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his service-connected left shoulder dislocation with rotator cuff tear, lumbar spine disc disease, and related conditions was denied. The Board found that the current ratings adequately reflected the severity of these disabilities.
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