The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his low back condition was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent prior to July 29, 2015 and did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 40 percent beyond that date.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's low back condition was manifested by pain with forward flexion greater than 30 degrees but less than 60 degrees, without ankylosis or incapacitating episodes necessitating bed rest prescribed by a physician having duration of at least six weeks. The evidence did not show any ankylosis or significant functional impairment.
- Claimed conditions
- Low back condition
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 21, 2017
- Citation
- 1734242
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 1734242.
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 Board has granted service connection for a low back condition and right shoulder rotator cuff strain, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to his military service.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for service connection for a low back condition and an acquired psychiatric disability are dismissed as procedural defects due to the overlapping nature of the appeals.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for a low back condition as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right hip condition, finding that the Veteran's back pain is aggravated by his right hip surgery.
- Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back condition, finding that it was incurred during active duty.
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