The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder, entitlement to a compensable disability rating for chondromalacia patellae of both knees, and entitlement to a higher disability rating for his generalized anxiety disorder. The issue of total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities remains in contention.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the veteran's low back disorder was not incurred or aggravated by active service, and denied service connection. The ratings assigned were deemed appropriate given the severity of his symptoms. The generalized anxiety disorder was rated as 30 percent disabling effective March 18, 1993.
- Claimed conditions
- Low back disorder, Chondromalacia patellae (right knee), Chondromalacia patellae (left knee), Generalized anxiety disorder with increased sleep and headaches
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- January 27, 2000
- Citation
- 0002124
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0002124.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's claim for a low back disorder was reopened, and his claims for increased ratings of bilateral knee instability were granted. His hearing loss claim was denied.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, bilateral knee disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder, finding that the evidence did not show an in-service onset or relationship to service.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disorder and bilateral knee disorders due to duty to assist errors prior to the rating decision on appeal. The Veteran is not prejudiced as a remand is necessary to correct these errors.
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