The Board found that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, rated at 20 percent since June 28, 2008, has not met or more nearly approximated criteria for a higher rating during any part of the appeal period.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations and medical evidence did not show ankylosis or incapacitating episodes meeting the criteria for a higher disability rating under Diagnostic Codes 5243 or 4.71a, respectively.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar sprain with degenerative changes
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- December 21, 2017
- Citation
- 1759726
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 1759726.
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 Board has remanded three issues: a rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbar sprain with degenerative changes, service connection for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and total disability rating based on individual unemployability.
- Denied
The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was rated at 20 percent prior to December 16, 2020 and denied for a higher rating from that date. The Board found the evidence did not meet criteria for a higher rating.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for service-connected chronic fatigue syndrome and lumbar sprain with degenerative changes are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.
- Denied
The Veteran's lumbar sprain with degenerative changes was initially rated at 10 percent prior to July 1, 2014 and increased to 20 percent thereafter. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.
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