The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent since July 11, 2015. This decision grants a higher rating for the period after that date.
The deciding factor: The VA examination on July 11, 2015 showed forward flexion limited to just 15 degrees due to pain onset at this point, warranting a higher 40 percent rating under DC 5242 of the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.
- Claimed conditions
- Traumatic arthritis of the lumbar spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 1, 2020
- Citation
- 20030736
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 20030736.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
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The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development and readjudication due to the need for additional VA examinations, as well as consideration of extraschedular TDIU.
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The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased disability ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination. The TDIU claim is also inextricably intertwined with other issues.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the issue of a rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss from January 31, 2012, to June 14, 2018. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment effective February 14, 2007.
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