The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for chronic low back strain and recurrent left ankle sprain are denied as there is no evidence of more than minimal limitation of motion or functional loss due to pain.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations have revealed minimal limitation of motion, some point tenderness, and no muscle spasm in the veteran's low back disorder. For his left ankle disorder, the range of motion studies showed only mild limitations without significant pain on forced inversion.
- Claimed conditions
- Chronic Low Back Strain, Recurrent Left Ankle Sprain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- March 19, 2002
- Citation
- 0202524
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 0202524.
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: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since December 13, 2018.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's internal hemorrhoids and chronic low back strain have been rated, but the Board has remanded for further evaluation due to additional issues. The Veteran is also seeking service connection for sleep disability and TDIU.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran is entitled to a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability prior to February 13, 2015 due to his service-connected disabilities. On or after February 13, 2015, the combined rating of his service-connected disabilities does not meet the criteria for TDIU.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's appeal for a higher combined rating in excess of 90 percent, effective from July 19, 2017, is denied. The AOJ's December 2017 rating decision correctly calculated the combined total rating as 90 percent.
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