The Veteran's disability rating for mechanical low back pain with degenerative changes in the lumbar spine and IVDS was reduced from 50% to 10%, effective November 1, 2017. The reduction was proper as there was actual improvement in his condition.
The deciding factor: There was material improvement in the Veteran's back disability during the applicable rating period, with forward flexion limited to 70 degrees on range of motion testing and no evidence of ankylosis or IVDS.
- Claimed conditions
- Mechanical low back pain with degenerative changes in the lumbar spine and intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- October 22, 2019
- Citation
- 19180086
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
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