The Veteran's lower back disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that this rating is not warranted based on current evidence. The Veteran has some occasional restriction of motion but no reports of irregular muscle spasms or reduced strength.,The Veteran's ankle disorders produce occasional pain and slight limitation of motion in both ankles.
The deciding factor: The Veteran’s lower back disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as it does not result in forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine to 30 degrees or less, or with favorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Arthritis of the Thoracolumbar Spine (Lumbar Sprain)
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 1, 2023
- Citation
- 23063608
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 23063608.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
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