The Board denied the veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for status post left L5-S1 laminectomy with lower back pain, finding that his disability did not warrant a higher evaluation based on the schedular criteria.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence showed slight to moderate limitation of motion and no severe symptoms. The veteran's gait was normal, he could heel-toe squat without difficulty, and there were no significant neurologically positive findings in the lower back.
- Claimed conditions
- left L5-S1 laminectomy, lower back pain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- March 8, 2001
- Citation
- 0107012
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 0107012.
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 lower back pain, finding that the evidence does not support a link between the condition and his military service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for lower back pain to obtain an adequate medical opinion regarding its etiology.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance, as her need for assistance is not solely due to service-connected disabilities.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for PTSD due to personal trauma, denied an increased rating for tinnitus, and denied service connection for bipolar disorder, hemorrhoids, lower back pain, and left knee pain.
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