The veteran's skin disorder was not related to service, and his low back strain is rated at the maximum schedular rating. The claim for benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for a left shoulder and neck disorder was granted, but he remains unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence did not support the veteran's contention that his skin disorder was related to service, and his low back strain is rated at the maximum schedular rating. The claim for benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 was granted due to VA surgical treatment in September 1996.
- Claimed conditions
- Skin Disorder, Low Back Strain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- January 10, 2002
- Citation
- 0200357
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 0200357.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for various conditions, including erectile dysfunction, PTSD, depression, frequent urination, intermetatarsal neuroma right foot, left knee condition, right knee condition, low back strain, shoulder strain, and tinnitus, due to a failure to provide necessary examinations.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection for PTSD and low back strain, as the earliest possible effective date based on his August 5, 2023, intent to file was already assigned.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for Hypertension (HTN), a Skin Disorder, and a Cranial Meningioma due to further medical examination and opinion regarding their etiology. The claims are currently pending.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for low back strain prior to July 29, 2015 was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine less than 30 degrees or unfavorable ankylosis.
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