The Veteran's back disability was rated at 40 percent from October 1, 2006, to October 5, 2020.
The deciding factor: The most probative evidence of record shows that the Veteran's back disability was manifested by adverse symptomatology that equates to forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine being 30 degrees or less but not at least unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine (back disability)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- January 9, 2023
- Citation
- 23001118
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.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a higher initial disability rating of 50 percent for the service-connected migraines and granted TDIU from February 17, 2014, to April 28, 2015, and from August 1, 2015. Service connection for a back disability was denied.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, effective from the date of the February 2025 rating decision.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a medical examination to determine if the Veteran's current neck strain is related to his in-service activities.
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