The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's low back strain disability, finding that the evidence did not demonstrate findings or symptoms required to warrant such a rating.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations and treatment records provided no findings or symptoms indicating ankylosis, IVDS episodes lasting longer than one week, or other criteria necessary for a higher rating under DC 5237 or DC 5243.
- Claimed conditions
- Low back strain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- November 15, 2019
- Citation
- 19186299
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for an increased rating for low back strain to correct a pre-decisional duty to assist error.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including the side effects of medication taken to treat his back disability, precluded substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational experience.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his low back strain based on the evidence showing that the disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.
- Partly granted
The Board denied a rating in excess of 40 percent for low back strain and a rating in excess of 20 percent for left lower extremity radiculopathy, sciatic nerve after April 26, 2024. However, it granted a 20 percent rating for the left lower extremity radiculopathy, sciatic nerve prior to that date and remanded the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability.
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