The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for her service-connected low back disability, finding that the evidence did not support an increased evaluation at any time during the period on appeal.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations documented the Veteran’s limitations due to pain or repetitive use testing and those limitations are reflected in the currently assigned rating.
- Claimed conditions
- low back muscle strain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- March 8, 2021
- Citation
- 21013079
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 21013079.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings and service connection for low back muscle strain, left knee condition, and right wrist condition. The claims are dismissed.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied service connection for left ankle sprain, low back muscle strain, facial skin rash, and PTSD. The Veteran's claims were reopened due to new evidence received more than one year after the October 1994 rating decision.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claim for additional development due to concerns about the severity of the Veteran's low back muscle strain and its impact on his daily activities.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including hypertension, PTSD, and low back muscle strain, did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to June 11, 2009. The Board denied an earlier effective date for the TDIU rating.
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