The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected chronic back strain and radiculopathy of the left and right femoral nerves were denied. The Board found that the Veteran failed to report for a VA examination, which was necessary to determine if he met the criteria for higher disability ratings.
The deciding factor: The Veteran did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings as his back strain did not result in forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 60 degrees; or, combined range of motion of the thoracolumbar spine not greater than 120 degrees.
- Claimed conditions
- chronic back strain, radiculopathy of the left femoral nerve, radiculopathy of the right femoral nerve
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- November 30, 2022
- Citation
- 22066649
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 22066649.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
Your appeal has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal before the Board.
- Partly granted
The Board granted an initial 70 percent evaluation for the service-connected psychiatric disability and a TDIU, but denied other claims related to earlier effective dates and burial expenses.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a 70 percent disability rating for major depressive disorder with primary insomnia effective December 16, 2019, and an initial 40 percent disability rating for lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease from June 27, 2017 through December 6, 2021.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for a back disability, diagnosed as chronic back strain, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to an injury sustained during her active military service.
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