The Veteran's claim for an increase rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint disease was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was also denied. The Board noted that there is no exceptional pattern of hearing impairment and the Veteran failed to report for a VA examination, resulting in a noncompensable rating.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 60 degrees or combined range of motion of the thoracolumbar spine not greater than 120 degrees, which would be required for a higher rating.,The Veteran failed to report for a VA examination and therefore, his claim was decided based on the evidence in the record. The Board found that there is no exceptional pattern of hearing impairment.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbosacral strain, degenerative joint disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- November 23, 2020
- Citation
- 20074936
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,071 · Granted: 26% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 20074936.
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's service connection claims for lumbosacral strain, asthma, melasma and hydradenitis, hypertension, an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as depression, anxiety, and stress), left shoulder disorder, right shoulder disorder, left knee disorder, a left foot disorder, and IBS have been granted. The remaining issues are remanded.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 40 percent for his lumbar spine disability has been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating, as there was no unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes of IVDS.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew their appeal for service connection of a lumbosacral strain, resulting in the dismissal of this issue.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, finding that it is related to his in-service injury. The claimant did not contest this decision.
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