The Board granted a disability rating of 40 percent for the Veteran's low back disorder, resolving the benefit of the doubt in favor of the Veteran.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected low back disorder was found to have forward flexion limited to 30 degrees or less during flare-ups or with repeated use over time, absent the ameliorative effects of medication, warranting a 40 percent rating under DC 5242.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative arthritis, intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), degenerative disc disease, and lumbar spondylosis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- July 8, 2025
- Citation
- A25058450
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.
- Granted
The Board granted a 40 percent disability rating for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability since September 26, 2024.
- Dismissed
The appeal to reopen the previous denial of service connection for lumbosacral strain is dismissed as the benefit sought has been fully granted.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the issue of entitlement to an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis of the spine and intervertebral disc syndrome.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for a neck injury, including degenerative arthritis, IVDS, spinal stenosis, and history of spinal fusion, based on the evidence showing chronicity since service.
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