The Veteran's lumbar compression fracture was rated at 20 and 40 percent between July 9, 2013 and February 29, 2016. The appeal for a higher rating is denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence did not show forward flexion of the lumbar spine to 30 degrees or less, unfavorable ankylosis, IVDS with incapacitating episodes, or thoracic vertebral fracture with loss of 50 percent or more of height.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar compression fracture
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- September 27, 2018
- Citation
- 18139203
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 18139203.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, finding that it is related to his active duty service.
- Denied
The Board denied effective dates prior to September 29, 2022 for service connection of residuals of a lumbar compression fracture, RLE radiculopathy, and a surgical scar of the low back.
- Granted
The Board has restored the veteran's original 50 percent rating for his lumbar compression fracture, effective October 15, 1997. The claim for a higher rating is denied.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar myositis, psychoneurosis and conversion hysteria, residuals of shrapnel wounds of the left thigh and pelvis with retained foreign bodies and scars, and residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right thigh and left leg. The veteran was also denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
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