The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 20 percent prior to January 20, 2012. From January 20, 2012, the rating remains at 20 percent as there is no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found that flexion was at worst 45 degrees with functional loss considered, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under DC 5242 from January 20, 2012.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar spine (low back) disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 26, 2018
- Citation
- 18121638
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 18121638.
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 claim for service connection of a lumbar spine disability, finding that there was no evidence of arthritis or other chronic disease manifesting within one year after separation from service and that the current low back disability did not have its onset in service.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's explicit withdrawal of his claims for increased ratings and service connection, with full understanding of the consequences.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied service connection for various disabilities, including cervical spine, lumbar spine, left shoulder, right shoulder, left knee, right knee, plantar fasciitis, and sleep disorder, as the evidence did not support a finding of current disabilities or functional impairment affecting earning capacity.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete records and potential exposure verification issues.
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