The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar strain with degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease does not warrant a higher rating, as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a 20 percent evaluation under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.
The deciding factor: The evidence shows forward flexion limited to at most 75 degrees with combined range of motion of at least 175 degrees, which does not meet the criteria for a 20 percent rating based on limitation of motion under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar strain, degenerative arthritis, degenerative disc disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- September 11, 2020
- Citation
- 20059955
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 20059955.
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.
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The Board has restored the Veteran's rating for his right elbow condition from 10 percent to 20 percent effective May 5, 2025, finding that the evidence was in equipoise regarding whether there had been improvement in the Veteran's ability to function under ordinary conditions of life and work.
- Granted
The Board has granted earlier effective dates of January 13, 2020 for the service connection of low back disability and related radiculopathy issues. The Veteran's claims were reopened due to new evidence submitted in January 2020.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back condition, including degenerative disc disease and scoliosis, due to lack of current disability evidence.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the VA examinations related to the Veteran's lower back condition and surgical scars are inadequate, necessitating a remand for further evaluation.
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