The Veteran's initial claim for service-connected back injury was granted, but the assigned rating of 10% has been denied as his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.
The deciding factor: The Veteran’s residual back injury did not result in forward flexion limited to 60 degrees or less, combined range of motion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 120 degrees, muscle spasm or guarding severe enough to result in an abnormal gait or spinal contour, or incapacitating episodes.
- Claimed conditions
- Back injury
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- April 15, 2019
- Citation
- 19128588
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as depression and a right knee condition. The claims for left knee condition, back injury, hypertension, headaches, sleep apnea, and surgical complications of pregnancy were remanded.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands all service connection claims for further development and to correct a pre-decisional duty to assist error.
- Partly granted
The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a back injury, and facial injury. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder was remanded.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to deficiencies in a VA medical opinion. The Veteran's back disability and bilateral lower extremity post phlebitic syndrome are being reviewed again.
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