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Granted

The Veteran's initial disability rating for the service-connected back disability was granted at a 20 percent level from September 13, 2014 to October 23, 2017. A higher initial rating of over 20 percent is denied.

The deciding factor: The April 2021 VA examination showed that the Veteran's back disability resulted in forward flexion limited to 40 degrees due to pain and a combined range of motion limited to 110 degrees, which meets the criteria for a 20 percent rating under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.

Claimed conditions
intervertebral disc syndrome with lumbosacral strain (back disability)
How they argued it
Direct service connection
Exposure basis
None
Rating assigned
20%
Decision date
February 25, 2022
Citation
22011091

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 22011091.

What this means for you

A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.

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