The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disability, currently rated at 60 percent, does not warrant a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes. The claim for TDIU is also denied.
The deciding factor: There is no evidence of residuals from a fractured vertebra or ankylosis of the spine, which are required for higher ratings under Diagnostic Codes 5285 and 5286 respectively. The veteran's disability does not meet the criteria for these codes.
- Claimed conditions
- Low Back Pain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 60%
- Decision date
- May 6, 2002
- Citation
- 0204153
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 0204153.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that the evidence did not support higher ratings or service connection.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the Veteran's claim for SMC based on a need for regular aid and attendance of another person due to an inadequate VA examination and conflicting evidence regarding the impact of her service-connected conditions.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including PTSD, low back pain, hip pain, gait instability, and cognitive impairment, require the need for aid and assistance. The Board found that she is housebound due to her service-connected disabilities and granted SMC based on both the need for aid and attendance and housebound status.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions are being remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.
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