The Veteran's low back pain with muscle spasm is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating based on incapacitating episodes or under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine is not warranted.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not show any incapacitating episodes meeting the criteria for a higher rating, nor does it show limitation of motion more nearly approximating forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine to 30 degrees or less; or, favorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine.
- Claimed conditions
- low back pain with muscle spasm
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- October 27, 2020
- Citation
- 20069645
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Partly granted
The Board granted an initial rating of 20 percent for the Veteran's low back pain with muscle spasm and service connection for bilateral hearing loss, while denying earlier effective dates and higher ratings for tinnitus, and remanding claims for right hand third digit laceration, insomnia disorder, and right knee disability.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, effective from the date of the February 2025 rating decision.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a medical examination to determine if the Veteran's current neck strain is related to his in-service activities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD due to an inadequate medical opinion.
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