The Board has denied the appellant's claims for higher evaluations for his low back disorder, left ulnar nerve neuropathy, migraine headaches, and mood disorder with major depressive features. The claim of service connection for a cervical spine disorder is pending. The appellant's irritable bowel syndrome and gastroesophageal reflux disease have not been granted a compensable evaluation.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher evaluations based on the severity of the conditions, with some issues being granted at their current levels.
- Claimed conditions
- Cervical spine disorder, Low back disorder (spondylosis, spinal stenosis, disc bulging, and degeneration of L3-L4 and L5-S1), Left ulnar nerve neuropathy, Migraine headaches, Mood disorder with major depressive features, Irritable bowel syndrome and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- August 14, 2001
- Citation
- 0120718
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 0120718.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disorder and psychiatric disorder due to incomplete information. The Veteran needs to provide his complete service personnel records, verify his alleged combat experience in Vietnam, and undergo VA examinations for both conditions.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disorder, finding that there was no evidence of a causal relationship between his current condition and his military service.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service connection claims for traumatic brain injury and migraine headaches due to right eye removal are granted. The claim for a compensable evaluation of xeroderma of the right eye is remanded.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied an increased initial disability rating for migraine headaches, finding that the Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a 50% rating due to lack of very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.
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