The Board denied service connection for a bilateral leg disability and granted service connection for spondylosis of the lumbar and thoracic spine with spondylolisthesis of the lumbar spine. The veteran's claim for increased ratings for his back condition was also denied, but he received an initial 20 percent rating effective October 31, 1997.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not support service connection for a bilateral leg disability or any undiagnosed illness resulting in such a disability. The veteran's spondylosis of the thoracic spine was found to be manifested by slight limitation of motion and no more than moderate lumbosacral strain, with intervertebral disc syndrome being at least moderate.
- Claimed conditions
- Bilateral Leg Disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 26, 2002
- Citation
- 0203849
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 0203849.
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
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- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
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- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
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- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's multiple sclerosis, dizziness, fatigue, bilateral knee disability, and bilateral leg disability. The claims are being remanded for further examination and opinion.
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