The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with lumbosacral strain is currently rated at 20 percent, effective July 27, 2011. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as his disability does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with lumbosacral strain was manifested by forward flexion to 60 degrees with pain, extension to 5 degrees without pain, and no additional limitation on repetitive use testing. These findings do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, Lumbosacral strain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- June 4, 2020
- Citation
- 20038479
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 20038479.
What this means for you
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine and lumbar spine was granted with effective dates of May 13, 2019.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for the lumbar spine disability prior to October 11, 2022 and since December 1, 2022. The Veteran's claim is currently rated at 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 5242.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis and a lumbosacral strain, is at least as likely as not related to his active service. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.
- Granted
The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine was diagnosed during service and has continued since then. The Board granted service connection for this condition based on continuity of symptomatology.
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