The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent effective April 13, 2016. The RO also granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and included it in his existing 20 percent rating.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner determined that the Veteran's symptoms were primarily attributable to his service-connected chronic low back strain with additional contributions from non-service-connected conditions, leading to a higher disability rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Chronic Low Back Strain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 4, 2021
- Citation
- 21067352
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 21067352.
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: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since December 13, 2018.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's internal hemorrhoids and chronic low back strain have been rated, but the Board has remanded for further evaluation due to additional issues. The Veteran is also seeking service connection for sleep disability and TDIU.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran is entitled to a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability prior to February 13, 2015 due to his service-connected disabilities. On or after February 13, 2015, the combined rating of his service-connected disabilities does not meet the criteria for TDIU.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's appeal for a higher combined rating in excess of 90 percent, effective from July 19, 2017, is denied. The AOJ's December 2017 rating decision correctly calculated the combined total rating as 90 percent.
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