The Veteran's low back disability has not been characterized by the required range of motion for a higher rating, and therefore her claim for a higher rating is denied.
The deciding factor: The Veteran’s thoracolumbar spine flexion was found to be greater than 60 degrees, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 5237.
- Claimed conditions
- myofascial syndrome of the lumbosacral spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 14, 2018
- Citation
- 18149901
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 18149901.
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: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected low back disability is rated at 40 percent, but no higher, due to limitation of forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine to 30 degrees or less.
- Whole decision: Denied
The veteran's service-connected myofascial syndrome of the lumbosacral spine and headache do not constitute an employment handicap, thus he does not meet the eligibility requirement for vocational rehabilitation training under Chapter 31.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected coronary artery disease, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of his condition.
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