The Veteran's appeal for an increased disability rating for lumbosacral spine strain and service connection for bilateral bunion formation were both denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating or service connection due to lack of evidence showing forward flexion limited to 30 degrees or less, or unfavorable ankylosis.
The deciding factor: The VA medical examinations and opinions provided no evidence indicating that the Veteran's lumbosacral spine strain had worsened to the extent required for a higher disability rating. For service connection, there was no evidence of aggravation beyond its natural progression in service.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbosacral spine strain, bilateral bunion formation (now with valgus deformities of the first MT joints with hammertoes each second toe)
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 31, 2023
- Citation
- 23006074
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 23006074.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for a lumbosacral spine strain with degenerative arthritis, finding that the evidence did not support a link between the current condition and an in-service injury.
- Dismissed
The appeal for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbosacral spine strain is dismissed. The reduction of the ratings for left and right knee limitations of extension are found to be improper, and the original ratings are restored.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for increased rating and TDIU have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal.
- Granted
The Veteran's prescribed topical skin medication, triamcinolone cream, caused irreparable damage to his clothing and the Board granted a clothing allowance for 2020 based on this.
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