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
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- 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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0200357.
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 Veteran's claims for service connection for asthma and a skin disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions considering the totality of his military exposure.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted a rating of 40 percent for the Veteran's service-connected low back strain with degenerative arthritis, effective from September 26, 2008. The decision is based on functional limitation equivalent to forward flexion limited to 30 degrees or less due to pain and other symptoms.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran's low back strain is rated at 40 percent, and the issues of IBS and CFS are dismissed. The Veteran's PTSD and depressive disorder with a major depressive episode do not meet criteria for a higher rating. Service connection is granted for cervical strain and right knee pain.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's low back strain disability was denied a higher rating prior to July 20, 2020. Separate ratings of 10 percent were granted for radiculopathy affecting the sciatic and femoral nerves in the lower extremities from July 20, 2020.
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