The Veteran's back disability was manifested by painful motion and stiffness with thoracolumbar spine forward flexion of at worst 60 degrees, intermittent muscle spasms without abnormal gait or ankylosis. The VA examination findings did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.
The deciding factor: VA examinations showed limitation of motion due to pain but no evidence of ankylosis or forward flexion limited to 30 degrees or less
- Claimed conditions
- Herniated nucleus pulposus at L4-5, Disc bulge at L5-S1
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- August 18, 2017
- Citation
- 1734016
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 1734016.
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for a back condition, bilateral sacroiliac joint conditions (left and right), all secondary to the Veteran's service-connected back condition.
- Granted
The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent, effective March 8, 2010.,The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy is currently rated at 10 percent, effective March 8, 2010.,The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy is rated at 40 percent, effective March 8, 2010.
- Granted
The Veteran's low back disability was rated at 20 percent prior to August 31, 2006. From that date forward, the maximum schedular rating of 40 percent for severe limitation of motion of the thoracolumbar spine has been granted.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for his low back disability and TDIU due to service-connected low back disability, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating or entitlement to TDIU.
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