The veteran's claims for service connection and higher ratings have been denied. The RO has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability manifested by abdominal pain, but his lumbar spine disorder is currently rated at 10%. His skin condition (melasma) remains non-compensable.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence did not show an ascertainable medical disorder for the claimed abdominal pain. The RO determined that the veteran's lumbar strain with spondylosis warranted a 10% rating based on his subjective complaints of pain and no objective findings of limitation or functional loss. His skin condition (melasma) was rated non-compensable as it did not meet the criteria for a compensable disability.
- Claimed conditions
- Abdominal Pain, Left Shoulder Condition, Lumbar Strain with Spondylosis, Melasma
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- May 17, 2000
- Citation
- 0012976
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 0012976.
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 Veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder condition, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease and insufficient medical evidence to establish a nexus between any current disability and service.
- Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for traumatic brain injury, left shoulder condition, and lower back pain as there is no persuasive evidence of a current disability or in-service event that would support these claims.
- Denied
The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left shoulder condition is not related to his service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection regarding his right shoulder condition, left shoulder condition, and neck condition should be remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The claims will now be adjudicated with appropriate medical examinations.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.