The Board reinstated the Veteran's original 40% disability rating for lumbosacral strain and denied a higher rating, finding that the reduction from 40% to 10% was improper due to lack of improvement under ordinary conditions of life. The claim for an increased rating remains pending.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show sustained material improvement in the Veteran's lumbosacral strain disability under ordinary conditions of life and work.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbosacral strain, degenerative arthritis, intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), degenerative disc disease (DDD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- December 27, 2018
- Citation
- 18160556
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 18160556.
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.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for lumbosacral strain and lumbar radicopathy, right side, secondary to the lumbosacral strain.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for lumbosacral strain, finding that the Veteran's low back injury occurred during a period of active duty for training (ADT) and continued therefrom.
- Dismissed
The appeals for restoration of ratings and for a higher disability rating were dismissed as the April 2025 rating decision did not make final decisions on these issues.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, with the exception of remanding certain issues.
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