The Veteran's claim for a higher rating of 40 percent for residuals of a compression fracture of the lumbar spine is granted, as he currently has forward flexion limited to 30 degrees or less.
The deciding factor: The VA examiners found that the Veteran had forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine limited to 30 degrees or less due to pain, which meets the criteria for a 40 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 5235.
- Claimed conditions
- Compression fracture of the lumbar spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- September 28, 2020
- Citation
- 20063455
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 20063455.
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 determined that the Veteran's back disability does not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent, and his radiculopathy of the left lower extremity does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain an adequate VA examination for his service-connected compression fracture of the lumbar spine and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity. The claims for increased ratings, TDIU, and initial rating will be considered in light of any new evidence.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar myositis, psychoneurosis and conversion hysteria, residuals of shrapnel wounds of the left thigh and pelvis with retained foreign bodies and scars, and residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right thigh and left leg. The veteran was also denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected coronary artery disease, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of his condition.
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