The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected back disorder is granted, with a 40 percent rating effective April 25, 2017. The previous ratings of 20 percent prior to this date and 20 percent from April 17, 2018 are maintained.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations provided sufficient evidence to determine that the Veteran's back disorder resulted in limitation of flexion to 20 degrees, meeting the criteria for a 40 percent rating under DC 5237.
- Claimed conditions
- back disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- January 10, 2019
- Citation
- A19000015
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.
- Dismissed
The veteran withdrew the appeal for all service connection and rating issues, and the Board has no jurisdiction to review these matters.
- Partly granted
The Board denied service connection for pes planus (flat feet) and remanded several other issues, including service connection for various disorders and increased ratings for the right knee. The Board granted a 20 percent rating for right knee instability.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for a left shoulder disorder, right shoulder disorder, back disorder, and neuropathy as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to the Veteran's military service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the case for further development and verification of any additional periods of active duty, ACDUTRA, or INACDUTRA.
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