The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disability does not warrant a higher initial rating in excess of 10 percent, and thus denied his claim for an increased rating. The service-connected left wrist disability was also addressed but is no longer part of the appeal as it was granted service connection.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence did not show forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine at 30 degrees or less, which would be required for a higher initial rating under DC 5237. The Veteran's range of motion and symptoms were consistent with a 10 percent disability rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Low Back Pain, Left Wrist Disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 7, 2018
- Citation
- 1828318
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 1828318.
What this means for you
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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 service connection for left eye condition, bilateral knee pain, low back pain, and bilateral shoulder pain due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The Veteran's STRs are incomplete and need to be obtained, as well as VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of any diagnosed disabilities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for facial scarring, left and right foot disabilities, left and right ankle disabilities, left knee, left hip, and left shoulder disabilities, as well as left and right wrist disabilities. The Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a Total Disability Rating Based on Unemployability (TDIU) prior to February 16, 2021, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing and maintaining substantial gainful employment during those periods.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that the evidence did not support higher ratings or service connection.
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