The Board denied an increased rating for the Veteran's thoracolumbar strain (low back disability) as it did not meet the criteria for a higher than 20 percent evaluation.
The deciding factor: The evidence showed that the Veteran had pain and limited motion in his low back, but no significant impairment such as ankylosis or IVDS. The VA examinations found forward flexion to be at least 45 degrees with some limitation due to pain and weakness.
- Claimed conditions
- Thoracolumbar strain (low back disability)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- May 6, 2021
- Citation
- 21027514
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 21027514.
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The rating reduction for the Veteran's low back disability from 10 percent to noncompensable was improper, and the 10 percent rating is restored. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied, while service connection for tinnitus was granted.
- Denied
The Board denied an increased rating for the Veteran's thoracolumbar strain (low back disability) as it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on current evidence of record.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination and a need for further evaluation of the Veteran's low back disability.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar myositis, psychoneurosis and conversion hysteria, residuals of shrapnel wounds of the left thigh and pelvis with retained foreign bodies and scars, and residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right thigh and left leg. The veteran was also denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
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