An effective date of March 31, 2006, but no earlier, for the award of service connection for lumbosacral strain with degenerative changes, lumbar spine is granted.,A rating in excess of 20 percent for a lumbar spine disorder prior to November 14, 2012, is denied.,An effective date of November 14, 2012, but no earlier, for the grant of a 40 percent rating for lumbosacral strain with degenerative changes, lumbar spine is granted.

The deciding factor: The Veteran's request to reopen his claim of service connection for a lumbar spine disorder was received on March 31, 2006. The effective date for the grant of service connection is fixed in accordance with the facts found, but shall not be earlier than the date of receipt of the claim or the date entitlement arose, whichever is later.,The objective evidence did not show that the Veteran's forward flexion of his lumbar spine was measured at 30 degrees or less or that he demonstrated ankylosis of the lumbar spine. The VA examiners found he had IVDS of the lumbar spine but no incapacitating episodes as a result.,The effective date for the grant of a rating in excess of 20 percent is fixed in accordance with the facts found, but shall not be earlier than the date of receipt of the claim or the date entitlement arose, whichever is later.

Claimed conditions

lumbosacral strain with degenerative changes, lumbar spine, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), left knee disorder

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

50%

Decision date

September 30, 2022

Citation

22055750

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 22055750.