The reduction of the rating for lumbosacral strain with degenerative changes from 20 to 10 percent, effective May 9, 2016, was not proper; the 20 percent rating is restored. The increased rating in excess of 20 percent for a low back disability is remanded.
The deciding factor: The reduction of the disability rating from 20 percent to 10 percent was based on an inadequate VA examination and material improvement has not been shown by a preponderance of the evidence.
- Claimed conditions
- Lumbosacral strain with degenerative changes
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 5, 2019
- Citation
- 19125688
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 19125688.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates for various service-connected conditions, including frostbite residuals of the upper and lower extremities, left hip strain, tinnitus, depressive and alcohol use disorders, radiculopathy, anosmia, right upper eyelid scar, cervical spine disability, and lumbosacral strain.
- Partly granted
The Board denied service connection for deep vein thrombosis of the left lower extremity, but granted a 40 percent rating for lumbosacral strain with degenerative changes and a separate 10 percent rating for left lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy from March 2, 2016.
- Denied
The veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative changes and right shoulder strain were rated at 10 percent, as the evidence did not support higher ratings for either condition.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, effective from the date of the February 2025 rating decision.
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