The Veteran's back disability was rated at 20 percent from August 18, 2009 to January 30, 2013 and since April 1, 2013. The Board denied an increased rating for the period of August 18, 2009 to January 30, 2013 and since April 1, 2013.
The deciding factor: The objective medical evidence did not support a higher rating as it showed forward flexion at 70 degrees (from August 18, 2009 to January 30, 2013) or 45 degrees (since April 1, 2013).
- Claimed conditions
- L4-5 disc bulge, L2-3 disc bulge
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 3, 2019
- Citation
- 19167695
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 19167695.
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: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral spine disability, including spondylosis, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease (DDD), facet joint arthritis, and L4-5 disc bulge, is now rated at 40 percent effective June 11, 2019.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board has denied the veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 40 percent for his service-connected low back strain, with L4-5 disc bulge.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the VA Regional Office (RO) needs to provide additional development and notification in order to properly adjudicate the veteran's claim for service connection of a low back disorder.
- Whole decision: 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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