The Veteran's lumbosacral strain and degenerative joint disease have been manifested by a range of motion without pain, with forward flexion to 75 degrees, extension to 20 degrees, right lateral flexion to 20 degrees, left lateral flexion to 25 degrees, and right and left lateral rotation to 30 degrees. There is no evidence of muscle spasm or guarding severe enough to result in abnormal gait or spinal contour such as scoliosis, reversed lordosis, or abnormal kyphosis. The Veteran's disability picture is adequately described by the current 10 percent rating assigned.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence does not demonstrate any manifestations that would warrant a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbosacral strain, degenerative joint disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- December 16, 2016
- Citation
- 1647132
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 1647132.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's service connection claims for lumbosacral strain, asthma, melasma and hydradenitis, hypertension, an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as depression, anxiety, and stress), left shoulder disorder, right shoulder disorder, left knee disorder, a left foot disorder, and IBS have been granted. The remaining issues are remanded.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 40 percent for his lumbar spine disability has been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating, as there was no unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes of IVDS.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew their appeal for service connection of a lumbosacral strain, resulting in the dismissal of this issue.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, finding that it is related to his in-service injury. The claimant did not contest this decision.
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