The Veteran's lumbar strain is granted a disability rating of 40 percent from October 20, 2009 to January 21, 2020. A higher rating is denied for the period after January 22, 2020. TDIU is granted from October 20, 2009 to January 9, 2017.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's lumbar strain resulted in forward flexion of less than 30 degrees and was not associated with unfavorable ankylosis, warranting a 40 percent disability rating. TDIU is granted as the Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment from October 20, 2009 to January 9, 2017.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar strain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- October 20, 2020
- Citation
- 20067751
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the case for further development, including obtaining new medical opinions and examination reports to address the issues of service connection and increased ratings.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the Veteran's claims for increased disability evaluations and TDIU due to missing records.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for bilateral pes planus, lumbar strain, and left knee strain. The initial rating period from March 5, 2024, was denied for allergic rhinitis.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for lumbar strain, finding that the Veteran's current condition had its onset during active service.
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