The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for chronic lumbar strain was denied as the evidence did not show that his disability warranted a higher rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.
The deciding factor: The Veteran’s back pain and associated symptoms were adequately addressed by the July 2008 and July 2009 VA examinations, which found no ankylosis or incapacitating episodes. The Veteran's range of motion was limited but did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Chronic Lumbar Strain, Lumbar Facet Arthropathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 24, 2017
- Citation
- 1747505
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 1747505.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) as his service-connected disabilities have not rendered him unable to obtain or perform substantially gainful employment.
- Granted
The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted from October 3, 2014, due to his service-connected PTSD, lumbar spine, and right knee disabilities preventing him from obtaining substantially gainful employment.
- Denied
The Veteran's ED is not found to be secondary to his service-connected conditions of chronic lumbar strain and left shoulder biceps tendinitis, and the Board denied service connection for this condition.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for further evaluation and determination of service connection for kidney stones, which were not addressed in the original decision.
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