The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating and earlier effective date of service connection for his back disability was partially granted, with a 40 percent disability rating assigned from May 10, 2010. The claim for an earlier effective date was denied.
The deciding factor: The decision was based on the evidence showing that the Veteran's chronic low back strain manifested in forward flexion limited to 30 degrees or less, which supported a 40 percent rating under the applicable criteria.
- Claimed conditions
- chronic low back strain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- May 16, 2025
- Citation
- A25044145
What this means for you
A partial grant means some issues were granted while others were denied or remanded — common in multi-issue claims. Look at which issues went which way, and how each was argued.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The veteran withdrew the appeal for effective dates prior to September 27, 2024, for the awards of service connection for various knee and back conditions.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from April 29, 2018.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board denied an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for a lower back disability and remanded claims for a higher rating, TDIU, and extraschedular consideration.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remanded the claims for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for chronic low back strain and degenerative arthritis of the left wrist, as well as for total disability based on individual unemployability. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities require further evaluation.
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