The Veteran's lumbar spine sprain is currently rated at 10 percent disabling. The Board found that the evidence does not support a higher rating due to insufficient functional limitations despite complaints of back pain and flare-ups.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show forward flexion limited to between 30 and 60 degrees or combined range of motion not greater than 120 degrees, which are criteria for higher ratings under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar spine sprain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 3, 2018
- Citation
- 18115855
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 18115855.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
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: Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and a TDIU, finding that his lumbar spine disability did not warrant higher ratings and that he was capable of obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to July 25, 2017, but not since.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the issues of entitlement to a higher disability evaluation for lumbar spine sprain and entitlement to TDIU due to insufficient evidence regarding the severity of the Veteran's condition, particularly concerning the effects of medication on his range of motion.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating on the basis of individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his combined schedular rating was 100 percent and he had not demonstrated that any single service-connected disability rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's lumbar spine sprain and has remanded the issues regarding PTSD with opiate use disorder. The case is now pending further development.
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