The Veteran's back disability was granted a rating of 20 percent since November 5, 2014. The evidence shows the Veteran has limited range of motion in her lumbar spine after this date.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found that the Veteran’s forward flexion was limited to no less than 60 degrees and provided a functional impact assessment which supported an increased rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the thoracic and lumbar spines, IVDS
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- April 8, 2019
- Citation
- 19126409
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.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings, finding that the earliest possible effective date was September 9, 2022.
- Partly granted
The Board granted earlier effective dates for service connection and a higher disability rating for the Veteran's psychiatric condition.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a back condition, including degenerative arthritis, degenerative disc disease other than IVDS, lumbosacral strain, and IVDS, secondary to service-connected right ankle disability, due to an inadequate VA medical nexus opinion.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for PTSD and other psychiatric disorders, as well as a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.