The Veteran's lumbosacral sprain has been rated at 20 percent since November 3, 2010. The Board denied a higher rating as the evidence does not show that his forward flexion is limited to 30 degrees or less, which would warrant a 40 percent rating.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's forward flexion was found to be limited to 50 degrees with pain limiting it to only 45 degrees. This did not meet the criteria for a higher 40 percent rating under DC 5237.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbosacral sprain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- April 28, 2021
- Citation
- 21025600
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 21025600.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has found that the Veteran's lumbosacral sprain may be service connected, but the left knee disability is remanded for further development due to a duty-to-assist error.
- Dismissed
The appeal of the proposed reduction in the Veteran's rating for a lumbosacral sprain is dismissed as it was not a final adjudicative decision.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for lumbosacral sprain, while remanding the claims for left hip strain, right hip strain, left knee instability, right knee instability, and tachycardia.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board denied the appeal for an earlier effective date for award of service connection for lumbar spine disability, which was affirmed by a Court Order. The case is remanded to address a CUE claim in the June 1981 rating decision.
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