The Veteran's service-connected lower back strain with degenerative arthritis has not met the criteria for a higher rating, as it does not result in ankylosis or significant limitation of motion.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations did not find any evidence of ankylosis or severe enough muscle spasms and guarding to cause abnormal gait or spinal contour.
- Claimed conditions
- lower back strain with degenerative arthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- July 30, 2019
- Citation
- 19158946
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 19158946.
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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew the appeal for earlier effective dates and increased initial ratings for his newly service-connected lower back strain with degenerative arthritis, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination and further development is required.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lower back strain with degenerative arthritis and other specified trauma and stressor related disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar myositis, psychoneurosis and conversion hysteria, residuals of shrapnel wounds of the left thigh and pelvis with retained foreign bodies and scars, and residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right thigh and left leg. The veteran was also denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
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