The Veteran's lumbosacral strain as the result of scoliosis with degenerative joint disease and intervertebral disc disease is granted a 40 percent rating prior to September 30, 2019. A rating in excess of 20 percent since September 30, 2019 is denied.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's lumbosacral strain as the result of scoliosis with degenerative joint disease and intervertebral disc disease was found to have incapacitating episodes of IVDS for at least four weeks but less than six weeks prior to September 30, 2019. Since then, his range of motion has been limited to 45 degrees.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbosacral strain, scoliosis, degenerative joint disease, intervertebral disc disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- February 12, 2020
- Citation
- 20011653
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 20011653.
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.
- Granted
The Board has granted earlier effective dates of January 13, 2020 for the service connection of low back disability and related radiculopathy issues. The Veteran's claims were reopened due to new evidence submitted in January 2020.
- Granted
The Veteran's service connection claims for lumbosacral strain, asthma, melasma and hydradenitis, hypertension, an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as depression, anxiety, and stress), left shoulder disorder, right shoulder disorder, left knee disorder, a left foot disorder, and IBS have been granted. The remaining issues are remanded.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back condition, including degenerative disc disease and scoliosis, due to lack of current disability evidence.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 40 percent for his lumbar spine disability has been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating, as there was no unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes of IVDS.
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