The Veteran's initial claim for a low back disability was granted, and he received a noncompensable rating from March 17, 2008. The RO increased the rating to 10 percent in December 2017, effective April 14, 2015, and to 20 percent since March 20, 2019.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's low back disability was found to more nearly approximate forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 60 degrees with pain during flare-ups. The rating from April 14, 2015, to March 19, 2019, met the criteria for a 40 percent rating under the General Rating Formula.
- Claimed conditions
- Low Back Degenerative Disc Disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- March 31, 2020
- Citation
- 20022303
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 20022303.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for right hip, shoulder, elbow, and low back disabilities, finding no evidence of in-service onset or relationship to active service.
- Denied
The Veteran's right shoulder, left knee, and back disabilities were granted separate 10 percent ratings from November 2, 2015 to May 23, 2016. A rating higher than 10 percent for the right shoulder disability was denied during this period.
- Denied
The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating of PTSD and service connection for low back degenerative disc disease was denied.
- Granted
The Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD, OSA, cervical spine degenerative joint disease with radiculopathy, left ribs contusion, right elbow strain, bilateral hand strain and degenerative arthritis (other than posttraumatic) of the bilateral hands, and low back degenerative disc disease have been granted.
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