The Veteran's back disability, which includes low back strain and radiculopathy of the lower left extremity, has been rated at 20 percent since April 2009. The Board found that a higher rating is not warranted due to lack of evidence showing favorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's back disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as it does not show unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes of intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) that require bed rest and treatment by a physician.
- Claimed conditions
- low back strain, radiculopathy of the lower left extremity
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- April 12, 2017
- Citation
- 1711774
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 1711774.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew all his appeals, including the one for an increased rating for low back strain.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for athletes' foot, low back strain, and plantar fasciitis due to a lack of a VA examination prior to the August 2020 rating decision.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a low back strain has been withdrawn, resulting in the dismissal of this issue.
- Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder, right shoulder, and low back disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his active military service.
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