The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent since May 15, 2009. The Veteran has not met the criteria for a higher rating based on limitation of motion or ankylosis.
The deciding factor: The Veteran had limited forward flexion of his thoracolumbar spine to 60 degrees prior to July 5, 2011, which meets the criteria for a 20 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 5243. The Veteran did not have ankylosis or limitation of motion severe enough to warrant higher ratings.
- Claimed conditions
- tension headaches, chronic fatigue syndrome (claimed as Gulf War Syndrome), memory loss (claimed as Gulf War Syndrome), shin splints with muscle spasms, asthma, rheumatoid arthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- September 28, 2017
- Citation
- 1743019
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 1743019.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis disability rating is being remanded for additional development due to significant weight loss and anemia.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the claims on appeal, including obtaining any outstanding treatment records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the current severity of service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's representative also requested reevaluation of his service-connected disabilities.
- Denied
The Veteran's respiratory disability, including asthma and COPD, is denied as service connection is not warranted due to the condition being solely attributed to smoking.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the cases of sleep apnea and asthma due to a failure to provide proper notice for a hearing.
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