The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and remanded other claims for further development.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not support a finding of forward thoracolumbar flexion to 30 degrees or less, ankylosis, or functional ankylosis even when considering functional impairment during flares or on repetitive use.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity (LLE), radiculopathy of the right lower extremity (RLE)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- May 14, 2025
- Citation
- 25006577
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.
- Denied
The Board denied the claims for increased ratings pertaining to the Veteran's service-connected low back disability and associated radiculopathy of the LLE, except as noted for a 60 percent rating from December 2, 2023.
- Denied
The Board denied earlier effective dates for the grants of service connection and increased ratings for various disabilities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent for cervical spine degenerative arthritis and disc disease with IVDS, radiculopathy of the RUE, LUE, lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, LLE, and RLE.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board denied an increased rating for tinnitus and remanded the claims for lumbar spine IVDS, radiculopathy of both lower extremities, service connection for a psychiatric disorder, and TDIU due to further development needed.
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