The Veteran's initial 40 percent rating for lumbar spine DDD with mechanical low back pain is granted effective from September 28, 2011. The TDIU claim prior to this date remains denied.
The deciding factor: The evidence demonstrated forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine at or below 30 degrees but did not show ankylosis, which would have warranted a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 5242.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar spine degenerative disc disease (DDD) with mechanical low back pain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- April 16, 2020
- Citation
- 20026276
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 20026276.
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
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