The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was rated at 20 percent prior to December 16, 2020 and denied for a higher rating from that date. The Board found the evidence did not meet criteria for a higher rating.
The deciding factor: The VA examination conducted on December 16, 2020 documented 50 degrees of forward flexion during a flare-up, which does not satisfy the criteria for a 40 percent rating as per the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar sprain with degenerative changes
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- March 3, 2022
- Citation
- 22012249
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 22012249.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded three issues: a rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbar sprain with degenerative changes, service connection for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and total disability rating based on individual unemployability.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for service-connected chronic fatigue syndrome and lumbar sprain with degenerative changes are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's lumbar sprain with degenerative changes was initially rated at 10 percent prior to July 1, 2014 and increased to 20 percent thereafter. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's lumbar sprain with degenerative changes was rated at 10 percent prior to October 12, 2010 and at 20 percent thereafter. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating in either period.
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