The reduction of the rating for chronic lumbar strain with L-5 spondylolisthesis from 40 percent to 10 percent effective December 1, 2016 was improper and the 40 percent rating is restored.
The deciding factor: The examination conducted in May 2019 showed a limited range of motion (flexion to 70 degrees) that did not support maintaining the previous higher rating due to the lack of improvement over time as required by VA regulations for long-term ratings reductions.
- Claimed conditions
- Chronic Lumbar Strain with L-5 Spondylolisthesis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- October 3, 2019
- Citation
- 19176574
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,569 · Granted: 26% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted 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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 19176574.
What this means for you
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