The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint disease has been denied. The Board also remanded several other claims related to service connection.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show that the Veteran’s disability warranted a higher rating based on limitation of motion or incapacitating episodes, and there was no neurological impairment associated with his condition.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint disease, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), psychiatric disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- October 3, 2018
- Citation
- 18140358
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 18140358.
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 claims for increased ratings and service connection, with the exception of remanding certain issues.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a psychiatric disability to correct a pre-decisional duty to assist error, specifically regarding the presumption of soundness at entrance into service.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection, higher ratings, and earlier effective dates, as well as dismissed his claim for a TDIU.
- Partly granted
The appeal for service connection for fibromyalgia was granted with an effective date of August 14, 2023. The appeals for earlier effective dates and higher ratings were denied.
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