The Veteran's low back strain with degenerative joint disease is rated at 40 percent since December 2, 2013. The Board also granted entitlement to TDIU based on the service-connected disabilities.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations and medical evidence demonstrated significant functional impairment of the lumbar spine, warranting a higher rating than the current 20 percent assigned.
- Claimed conditions
- Low back strain with degenerative joint disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- March 7, 2018
- Citation
- 1814255
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 1814255.
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 the claims for additional examinations and opinions to address the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, specifically regarding his low back strain with degenerative joint disease, cervical spine condition, left clavicle fracture, and other symptoms. The issues are related to determining appropriate disability ratings based on the severity of these conditions.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 20 percent from May 13, 2008. The Board found that the condition more closely approximated forward flexion greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 60 degrees, warranting a 20 percent rating. However, ankylosis was not present, thus preventing a higher rating.
- Denied
The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for low back strain with degenerative joint disease and TDIU were denied due to his failure to appear for scheduled VA examinations without showing good cause.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating and TDIU was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher disability rating for low back strain with degenerative joint disease, as his flexion remained above 30 degrees throughout the appeal period. For TDIU, the combined rating of 60% from service-connected disabilities met the threshold criteria but the Veteran was deemed unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected conditions.
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