The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder has been shown to be manifested by constant pain, a burning sensation, tenderness, stiffness, and difficulty walking or standing for prolonged periods. The Board finds that a 20 percent rating most closely approximates the Veteran's lumbar spine limitation of motion and functional impairment during the relevant period.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's symptoms are contemplated by the assigned 20 percent rating based on his limited range of motion, pain, and inability to perform significant lifting or prolonged sitting/standing. The Board did not find additional functional loss due to pain or weakness that would warrant a higher rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Lumbosacral strain, Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD), Moderate facet joint disease, Early endplate deformity
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- January 11, 2017
- Citation
- 1700877
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 1700877.
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 Veteran's claim for service connection for Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) is being remanded due to a failure to provide the Veteran with a VA examination in connection with her claim. The Board finds that this was a pre-decisional duty to assist error and requires rescheduling of the examination.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for the lumbar spine disability prior to October 11, 2022 and since December 1, 2022. The Veteran's claim is currently rated at 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 5242.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis and a lumbosacral strain, is at least as likely as not related to his active service. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to a deficiency in the April 2024 VA medical examination, specifically regarding passive range of motion testing for pain.
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