The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbosacral spine strain with degenerative disc disease was denied. The issues of service connection for a stomach condition and TDIU were remanded.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations did not show forward flexion limited to 30 degrees or less, nor any type of spinal ankylosis, which are required for a higher rating under the applicable criteria.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbosacral spine strain with degenerative disc disease, gastrointestinal irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- August 2, 2019
- Citation
- 19160380
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,272 · Granted: 31% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 19160380.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran's claims for an effective date prior to June 14, 2017 and for a higher initial rating from June 14, 2017 for lumbosacral spine strain with degenerative disc disease are dismissed.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of May 8, 2013 for the grant of an initial 10 percent rating for residuals of a left tibia fracture is denied. The Veteran's claim for an initial 20 percent rating, but no higher, for residuals of left tibia fracture is granted.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability can be adjudicated. The claims file must be updated with the Veteran's SSA records and earning reports, and the case will be referred to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Board has dismissed the appeals for ratings in excess of 40 percent for lumbosacral spine strain with degenerative disc disease and entitlement to a rating of total disability due to individual unemployability based upon service-connected disorders prior to August 2, 2010. The appeal is dismissed due to the death of the appellant.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent for the service-connected low back disability and entitlement to a TDIU due to unresolved issues.
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