The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for his service-connected lumbar spine disability is denied as the evidence does not show that his disability meets or approximates the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found that the Veteran’s forward flexion was not limited to 30 degrees or less, and there were no incapacitating episodes requiring bed rest during the past 12 months.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbosacral paraspinal muscle strain, intervertebral disc syndrome with lumbosacral disc protrusion with spinal stenosis and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- November 23, 2020
- Citation
- A20017356
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 A20017356.
What this means for you
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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 Veteran's claims for an increased rating for lumbosacral paraspinal muscle strain, a separate rating for bowel or bladder impairment, and entitlement to TDIU due to duty-to-assist errors in obtaining relevant medical opinions.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar myositis, psychoneurosis and conversion hysteria, residuals of shrapnel wounds of the left thigh and pelvis with retained foreign bodies and scars, and residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right thigh and left leg. The veteran was also denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected coronary artery disease, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of his condition.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected musculoligamentous strain, right knee, is currently rated at 10 percent and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.
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