The veteran's lumbar spine disability, organic mental disorder, left seventh cranial nerve disability, loss of sense of smell, and head, neck and facial scars are all currently rated at their maximum levels. The cervical spine disability with limitation of motion is granted a 20% rating.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not show ankylosis or other severe symptoms that would warrant higher ratings under the applicable diagnostic codes.
- Claimed conditions
- Lumbar Spine Disability, Organic Mental Disorder, Left Seventh Cranial Nerve Disability, Loss of Sense of Smell, Facial Scars, Cervical Spine Disability with Limitation of Motion, Left Eye Ophthalmoplegia with Cranial Nerve Palsy, Post-Traumatic Headaches
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- October 16, 2001
- Citation
- 0124723
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 0124723.
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 a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability, both before and after November 8, 2024.
- Partly granted
The Board granted an effective date of April 30, 2020, for the award of service connection for adjustment disorder with depressed mood and denied increased ratings for left foot cuneiform fracture, left lower extremity anterior tibial (deep peroneal) nerve impairment, and facial scars.
- Partly granted
The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and remanded claims for facial scars, left ankle disability, right ankle disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability.
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.