The Board has granted an effective date of June 30, 2016 for a 20 percent rating for the Veteran's back disability. The claim for increased rating is granted as it meets the criteria for a higher rating since that date. However, the claim for TDIU was denied due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities not meeting the threshold requirement.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show ankylosis or incapacitating episodes requiring bed rest prescribed by a physician, which prevented a higher rating under IVDS criteria. The effective date of June 30, 2016 was granted based on the Veteran's claim for increased rating being received on that day and the fact that his back disability resulted in forward flexion limited to greater than 30 degrees but not more than 60 degrees.
- Claimed conditions
- back disability, lumbosacral strain, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, IVDS
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- April 28, 2023
- Citation
- 23024691
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 23024691.
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 has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for a back disability, endometriosis, thyroid condition, and chronic fatigue syndrome due to new evidence submitted since the last final denial. The claims are now considered on their merits.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete service treatment records and a need for additional VA examination. The Veteran's back disability is being reviewed again with new evidence.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for back, hip, and lower extremity disabilities due to a lack of VA examination and outstanding treatment records. The Veteran's current diagnoses and lay statements will be considered in determining if his conditions are related to service.
- Granted
The Veteran's service connection claims for lumbosacral strain, asthma, melasma and hydradenitis, hypertension, an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as depression, anxiety, and stress), left shoulder disorder, right shoulder disorder, left knee disorder, a left foot disorder, and IBS have been granted. The remaining issues are remanded.
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