The Veteran's chronic back strain has been rated at 40 percent since January 2017. The current level of disability, with forward flexion limited to 30 degrees but without ankylosis or incapacitating episodes, does not warrant a higher rating.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's range of motion and joint function do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes due to the current limitation in flexion.
- Claimed conditions
- Chronic Back Strain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- January 25, 2023
- Citation
- 23004821
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 23004821.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for chronic back strain with mechanical low back pain and left lower extremity radiculopathy has been granted, with specific evaluations of 20 percent for the back strain and 40 percent for the radiculopathy.
- Denied
The Board found that the veteran's service-connected disabilities did not cause or contribute substantially to his death. The VA examiner concluded that PTSD, while contributing to some of the veteran's underlying medical problems, was unlikely to have caused or contributed to the development of congestive heart failure and ischemic myocardium.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar myositis, psychoneurosis and conversion hysteria, residuals of shrapnel wounds of the left thigh and pelvis with retained foreign bodies and scars, and residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right thigh and left leg. The veteran was also denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected coronary artery disease, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of his condition.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.