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Granted

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar strain has resulted in less than 30 degrees of forward flexion, warranting a 40 percent rating. The disability does not meet the criteria for ankylosis or incapacitating episodes.

The deciding factor: The VA examination findings showed limited range of motion with pain on movement and no additional loss after repetitive use testing, which is indicative of less than 30 degrees of forward flexion.

Claimed conditions
chronic lumbar strain with disc space narrowing (now diagnosed as degenerative disc disease)
How they argued it
Direct service connection
Exposure basis
None
Rating assigned
40%
Decision date
August 18, 2017
Citation
1733910

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 1733910.

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.

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