The Board has determined that the veteran's lumbar disc disease, spondylosis, and spondylolisthesis are not related to service or a service-connected disability. The evaluation of residuals of a right knee injury remains unchanged at zero percent. The evaluation for dysthymic disorder with depression and mood swings is also unchanged at 30 percent.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not support the claim that the veteran's lumbar disc disease, spondylosis, and spondylolisthesis are related to service or a service-connected disability. The examiner found no anatomical lesion within the knee joint that would produce pain if used repeatedly over time.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar disc disease, spondylosis, spondylolisthesis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 8, 2002
- Citation
- 0202255
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 0202255.
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.
- Granted
The Board granted a 40 percent disability rating for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability since September 26, 2024.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for left knee strain, lumbar disc disease, and cervical spine disability based on evidence supporting an in-service onset of symptoms that have continued to the present.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a 40 percent evaluation for sciatic nerve radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities, a 30 percent evaluation for femoral nerve radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities, and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU), but denied an increased evaluation in excess of 40 percent for spinal stenosis and lumbar intervertebral disc syndrome.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability to obtain additional medical evidence regarding the severity of his condition without the ameliorative effects of medication.
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