The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at a 40 percent rating, but no higher, for the entire appellate period.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations and medical records show that the Veteran has forward flexion of his thoracolumbar spine limited to 80 degrees with pain during examination. This limitation meets the criteria for a 40 percent rating under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine, as it is less than or equal to 30 degrees.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar spine degenerative changes L4-5 and L5-S1 with spondylosis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- December 4, 2018
- Citation
- 18154983
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 18154983.
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
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