The Veteran's back disability, which includes degenerative disc disease and post-surgery pain, is rated at 40 percent due to functional impairment. The rating reflects the Veteran's limited range of motion in his thoracolumbar spine.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's back disability results in forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine being 30 degrees or less, which meets the criteria for a 40% rating under Diagnostic Code 5243.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease lumbar spine, Back pain status post-surgery
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 6, 2021
- Citation
- 21040730
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 21040730.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
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: Denied
The Board has determined that the Veteran's current back disability did not begin during active service and is not related to any in-service injury or disease. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for his low back condition.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected back disability was denied as the evidence did not show unfavorable ankylosis or its functional equivalent.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The claims for increased ratings for degenerative disc disease lumbar spine and PTSD were dismissed due to the Veteran's death during the pendency of the appeal.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Board dismissed the claims for service connection for a lumbar spine condition, left knee condition, left ankle condition, and right ankle condition as they were found to be duplicative appeals. The claim for a neck condition was remanded for further development.
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