The VA determined that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for residuals of an upper back injury, including multiple nerve problems in the head, neck and back, misalignment of the back and neck, twitching, and muscle spasms.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not provide a factual basis to conclude that the veteran had upper back injury with related problems that was incurred in or aggravated during service.
- Claimed conditions
- upper back injury, multiple nerve problems in the head, neck and back, misalignment of the back and neck, twitching, muscle spasms
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 8, 2002
- Citation
- 0204212
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 0204212.
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 right hip pain, muscle spasms, Bell's palsy, trouble breathing, and shaving profile/skin condition are all granted service connection. However, the claims for muscle spasms, Bell's palsy, trouble breathing, and shaving profile/skin condition were denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's eligibility for the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) is being remanded due to insufficient evidence in the March 2025 decision. The Board requires a medical opinion from CEAT regarding the Veteran's need for personal care services and supervision.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claim for a new examination and opinion to determine if the Veteran's lower back disability is related to service, including his in-service injuries.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claims for hearing loss, headache, sleep disorder, sore throat, and upper back disability have all been denied as there is no persuasive evidence of current disabilities in any of these conditions.,There are no persuasive medical findings or diagnoses supporting the presence of a current hearing loss, headache, sleep disorder, sore throat, or upper back disability.
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