The Board denied a higher initial rating for the Veteran's lumbar strain with spondylosis, finding that at no point during the appeal period his forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine was limited to 30 degrees or less and he did not have favorable ankylosis. The current 20 percent rating is considered appropriate.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not show that the Veteran's forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine was limited to 30 degrees or less, nor has he demonstrated or contended that his spine is ankylosed.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar strain with spondylosis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- April 21, 2020
- Citation
- 20027811
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 20027811.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied an increased rating for the Veteran's lumbar strain with spondylosis and left lower extremity radiculopathy, finding that the evidence did not support a higher disability rating.
- Denied
The Board denied an increased rating for the Veteran's lumbar strain with spondylosis and left lower extremity radiculopathy, finding that the evidence did not support a higher disability rating.
- Denied
The Veteran's service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to a service-connected disability is denied.,The Veteran's request for restoration of a 40 percent rating for lumbar strain with spondylosis and a rating in excess of 10 percent is remanded.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for back impairment has been reopened and granted. Service connection is also granted for neck, left shoulder, right shoulder, left knee, and right knee impairments. The claims for these other conditions are remanded.
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