The Veteran's lumbar spine disability resulted in muscle spasm severe enough to cause abnormal gait, but flexion was greater than 30 degrees. The Board granted a 20 percent rating for mechanical back syndrome.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine exceeded 30 degrees and did not result in ankylosis or IVDS, which would warrant higher ratings.
- Claimed conditions
- Mechanical back syndrome, Neuropathy of the right lower extremity associated with lumbar spine disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- March 4, 2022
- Citation
- 22012507
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 22012507.
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.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding service connection for a back condition and aggravation of pre-existing scoliosis/kyphosis by in-service thoracic muscle strain and chronic low back pain. The Veteran's conditions include DDD, lumbosacral sprain/strain, mechanical back syndrome, facet joint arthropathy, IVDS, foraminal lateral recess central stenosis, and radiculopathy.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and a need for an addendum opinion regarding service connection for back conditions, including aggravation of congenital scoliosis/kyphosis.
- Granted
The Veteran's cervical spine disability is granted at a rating of 30 percent effective July 12, 2021.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent for cervical spine disability and mechanical back syndrome due to insufficient examination findings. The Veteran needs to be scheduled for a VA spine examination to determine the current status of his service-connected disabilities.
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