The Veteran's low back degenerative changes are currently evaluated at 20 percent, but the evidence does not show that his forward flexion is limited to 30 degrees or less. The claim for a higher rating is denied.
The deciding factor: The most recent VA examination showed forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine at 50 degrees, which is greater than 30 degrees and therefore does not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative changes of the lumbar spine (low back disability)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- May 15, 2017
- Citation
- 1716462
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 1716462.
What this means for you
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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 low back disability is granted a 30 rating, while the issues of service connection for right ankle disability and radiculopathy are remanded.
- Granted
- Denied
The Veteran's low back disability was rated at 40 percent effective August 6, 2014. The appeal is denied as the rating does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar myositis, psychoneurosis and conversion hysteria, residuals of shrapnel wounds of the left thigh and pelvis with retained foreign bodies and scars, and residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right thigh and left leg. The veteran was also denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
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