The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 40 percent for the period beginning January 23, 2015. However, as of January 10, 2020, a higher rating greater than 40 percent is granted.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner noted that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability has resulted in moderate to severe functional impairment and inability to perform household chores or activities such as playing with grandchildren. The examiner also stated that the Veteran experiences flare-ups of pain lasting from 30 minutes to two hours, which are alleviated by getting out of bed and stretching.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar spine degenerative disc disease L5-S1, compression fracture T12, chronic sprain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- July 9, 2020
- Citation
- 20045745
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 20045745.
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 has restored the Veteran's disability rating for his back disability from 40% to 20%, effective December 1, 2025, as the reduction was improper and void ab initio.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an increased evaluation for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and remanded the issue of service connection for a traumatic brain injury.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has granted service connection for left knee strain but has remanded the claim of service connection for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease L5-S1 due to insufficient evidence.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a retrospective opinion regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine condition prior to January 23, 2015. The examiner was unable to provide specific additional range of motion loss during flare-ups or repeated use without an in-person examination.
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