The Board has granted a rating of 20 percent for the Veteran's lower back strain, which is the maximum available under the applicable criteria. The Veteran's left wrist disability remains at a 10 percent evaluation as there is no evidence of ankylosis or other conditions that would warrant a higher rating.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's lower back strain has been rated based on limitation of motion, with the current range of motion meeting the criteria for a 20 percent disability rating. The left wrist disability remains at a 10 percent evaluation as there is no evidence of ankylosis or other conditions that would warrant a higher rating.
- Claimed conditions
- lower back strain, traumatic arthritis, left wrist
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- September 5, 2017
- Citation
- 1737125
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 1737125.
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.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is denied as not meeting VA criteria for a disability.,The Veteran's left ACL tear, right ankle sprain, lower back strain, and right shoulder strain are all denied as not meeting VA criteria for a disability.
- Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right hammer toe, left hammer toe, lower back strain, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (depression) as there is no persuasive evidence of current diagnoses of these conditions during the pendency of the claim or approximate to its initiation.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for lower back strain, radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities, service connection for hearing loss in the left ear, and obstructive sleep apnea have been dismissed.,An increased rating of 40 percent, but not higher, has been granted for chronic urinary tract infection to include urge incontinence (previously claimed as frequent urination) from October 15, 2018.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for service connection on all issues except left and right knee disabilities have been dismissed due to untimely filing. The Board has not considered the evidence regarding these claims as they are outside of their jurisdiction.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.