The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was rated as noncompensable prior to August 23, 2011. The VA examiner found that the Veteran had forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 60 degrees but not greater than 85 degrees, which meets the criteria for a 10 percent rating under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner's findings supported the assignment of a 10 percent rating based on the Veteran's forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine being greater than 60 degrees but not greater than 85 degrees, which aligns with the criteria for a 10 percent rating under DC 5243.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, lumbosacral strain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- February 15, 2017
- Citation
- 1704634
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 1704634.
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 decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, as there are insufficient medical opinions and records. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further development.
- 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.
- 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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