The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis of the spine is rated at 40 percent, but no higher. The Board found that her symptoms most closely approximated the criteria for a 40 percent rating under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was found to have limitations in range of motion during flare-ups, resulting in significant functional impairment. The Board considered these findings along with her credible reports of pain and additional symptoms, but did not find evidence of unfavorable ankylosis or other conditions warranting a higher rating.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis of the spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- September 7, 2022
- Citation
- 22050900
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 22050900.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis of the spine was granted effective December 30, 2019.,PTSD benefits were not granted earlier than December 3, 2019.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board is remanding the claims for service connection and effective dates earlier than March 20, 2020 due to duty to assist errors and a request for a good cause extension of time limits.
- Granted
The Veteran was granted a TDIU for the period from January 1, 2020 to September 30, 2023 due to service-connected disabilities preventing him from maintaining substantially gainful employment.
- Denied
The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy has been rated at 10 percent since December 28, 2016. The Board denied an increased rating for this condition from that date to September 9, 2022.
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