The Veteran's chronic low back pain was granted a rating of 20 percent prior to May 25, 2013. A higher rating is denied.
The deciding factor: The evidence showed that the Veteran had flexion greater than 30 degrees but less than 60 degrees, which meets the criteria for a 20 percent rating under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.
- Claimed conditions
- Chronic low back pain, L4-5 degenerative disc disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- November 5, 2019
- Citation
- 19183640
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
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for further development to address issues related to a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to December 21, 2022, and in excess of 40 percent thereafter, for residuals of a fracture of the L2 vertebra with chronic low back pain. The propriety of the separately assigned rating for RLE radiculopathy is also remanded.
- Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine status post laminectomy. The Board found that there is at least an equipoise of evidence regarding whether this condition is related to a fall during service in 1979, and thus decided in favor of the Veteran.
- Remanded (sent back)
The veteran is seeking service connection for a lower back disability, which he claims is secondary to his service-connected left leg disabilities. The Board has determined that additional medical examination and opinion are needed before the claim can be decided.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, effective from the date of the February 2025 rating decision.
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