The Board found that the veteran's lumbosacral strain and degenerative arthritis did not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent, while his fractures of the ninth and tenth ribs were already rated as noncompensable. The appeal was denied.
The deciding factor: The clinical evidence showed no significant changes to the veteran's back condition that would justify an increased evaluation under relevant diagnostic codes.
- Claimed conditions
- Chronic lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, Residuals of fracture to the ninth and tenth ribs
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 15, 2000
- Citation
- 0015854
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 0015854.
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
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- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the issue of entitlement to service connection for a back disability due to a duty to assist error, specifically regarding VA's failure to provide the Veteran with a VA examination prior to the rating decision.
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- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for special monthly compensation based on loss of use of his left foot, as there was no evidence showing that the service-connected conditions resulted in functional limitation equal to that of amputation of the left foot with prosthesis.
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