The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent since December 21, 2020. The appeal for higher ratings prior to that date and after are denied.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine or the Formula for Rating Intervertebral Disc Syndrome Based on Incapacitating Episodes, as there is no indication of forward flexion less than 60 degrees or combined range of motion less than 120 degrees.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis (lumbar spine disability)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- March 14, 2023
- Citation
- 23015359
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 23015359.
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 Board granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right knee disabilities.
- Granted
The Board granted the appeal, finding that the reduction of the veteran's lumbar spine disability rating from 20% to 10% was improper. The 20% rating is restored effective February 1, 2023.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, sciatic and femoral radiculopathy in both lower extremities, and TDIU/SMC claims are all remanded for further development.
- 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.
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.