The Veteran's service-connected low back disability has been rated at 40 percent since April 11, 2011. The Board finds that the current evidence does not support a higher rating for this condition.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations and clinical records consistently show limited range of motion without ankylosis or associated neurological abnormalities other than peripheral neuropathy in the lower extremities.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Disc Disease, Lumbar Spine, Multiple Fusions of Lumbar Spine, Residual Mechanical Low Back Pain, Scar
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 18, 2017
- Citation
- 1740415
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1740415.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from August 6, 2008 due to the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder, low back, left knee, urinary, and scar disabilities as there is no persuasive evidence that any of these conditions began during or are otherwise related to his period of honorable military service.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the matters for the AOJ to provide the Veteran with notice of his right to a pre-decisional hearing before the AOJ.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death and entitlement to dependency and indemnity compensation under 38 U.S.C. 1318, as there was no evidence linking the Veteran's service or any service-connected disability to his cause of death.
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