The Veteran's lumbar pain with decreased range of motion was not shown to meet the criteria for a higher initial rating than 20 percent, as it did not result in forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine being 30 degrees or less or favorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's lumbar pain with decreased range of motion did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine, as her forward flexion was to at least 30 degrees and she did not have favorable ankylosis.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar pain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- January 2, 2026
- Citation
- A26000213
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 A26000213.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability, diagnosed as low back pain and lumbar pain, is related to his military service. After considering all evidence, including service treatment records and private medical opinions, the Board finds in favor of the Veteran and grants service connection for his low back disability.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for lumbar pain, hypoesthesia and paresthesia of the right lower extremity, left sciatic radicular pain, hypoesthesia, and paresthesia of the left lower extremity, and OSA as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected unspecified depressive disorder. The Veteran was also granted an initial evaluation of 70 percent for his service-connected unspecified depressive disorder.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's request for revision of a September 2005 rating decision based on clear and unmistakable error (CUE) for denying service connection for right knee medial meniscus tear, sinusitis, and lumbar pain.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeal for all service connection claims.
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