The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The lumbosacral strain and lumbar stenosis are currently rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available under the General Rating Formula for Disease and Injuries of the Spine.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations did not show ankylosis or IVDS, and the Veteran's forward flexion was found to be greater than 30 degrees with pain, but less than 60 degrees. The combined range of motion was also within normal limits.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbosacral strain, lumbar stenosis, rheumatoid arthritis (implied by degenerative arthritis), chronic migraines, vision disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- November 3, 2023
- Citation
- 23059578
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 23059578.
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 lumbosacral strain and lumbar radicopathy, right side, secondary to the lumbosacral strain.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for lumbosacral strain, finding that the Veteran's low back injury occurred during a period of active duty for training (ADT) and continued therefrom.
- Dismissed
The appeals for restoration of ratings and for a higher disability rating were dismissed as the April 2025 rating decision did not make final decisions on these issues.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, with the exception of remanding certain issues.
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