The Veteran's chronic lumbar strain is currently rated at 20 percent, but the evidence does not support a higher rating as there is no forward flexion of 30 degrees or less, nor favorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations did not show any limitation of motion to 30 degrees or more in forward flexion, and there was no evidence of favorable ankylosis.
- Claimed conditions
- chronic lumbar strain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- May 16, 2017
- Citation
- 1716527
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 1716527.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has denied service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy and a rating in excess of 10 percent for chronic lumbar strain. The claims for migraines and Meniere's disease are remanded.
- Denied
The Board has readjudicated the claim for service connection for chronic lumbar strain due to new evidence submitted after the prior final denial. However, it was determined that the Veteran's current condition is not related to service because his actions leading to the injury were considered willful misconduct.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for a chronic lumbar strain was dismissed due to an impermissible concurrent election of review options.
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