The Board granted an initial 20 percent rating for lumbar strain and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from January 15, 2019.
The deciding factor: The evidence of record persuaded the Board that the Veteran's lumbar strain warranted a higher initial rating due to forward flexion limited to less than 60 degrees when considering functional loss caused by pain and weakness.
- Claimed conditions
- Lumbar strain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- April 2, 2025
- Citation
- 25004476
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.
- Partly granted
The Board granted an effective date of October 1, 1973, for the award of service connection for a lumbar spine disability but remanded the issue of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent prior to April 4, 2022, and in excess of 40 percent thereafter.
- Granted
The veteran was granted a total rating based on individual unemployability due to a service-connected disability (TDIU) from April 28, 2017, and basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) as well as special monthly compensation (SMC) based on housebound criteria were established from the same date.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to January 7, 2021, as his service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to obtain and secure substantially gainful employment during that period.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for PTSD and a higher disability rating for lumbar strain, as well as service connection for eczema and a right hip condition.
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