The Board found that the veteran's recurrent low back strain with radiculopathy is manifested by limitation of motion, resulting in recurring attacks of pain with intermittent relief. The disability does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 40 percent.
The deciding factor: The VA examination revealed no objective evidence of disability or radiation that would support the veteran's subjective complaints.
- Claimed conditions
- Recurrent low back strain, Radiculopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 8, 2002
- Citation
- 0204236
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 0204236.
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: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, finding that there was no evidence of chronicity or continuity of symptomatology since service and concluding that his current disabilities are more likely related to an in-service injury than to his military service.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities, based on sciatic nerve impairment, is granted with a disability rating of 40 percent effective from March 4, 2023. The Veteran's radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities, based on femoral nerve impairment, is also granted with a disability rating of 20 percent effective from March 4, 2023.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him so helpless as to require the regular aid and attendance of another person, meeting the criteria for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied restoration of the 30 percent and 20 percent ratings for radiculopathy of the left upper extremity and right upper extremity, respectively.
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